Ionic liquid as catalytic and reusable media for cyanoethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes

Various ionic liquids (IL 1-9) based on N-methyl N′-alkyl imidazolium salts were explored as catalytic media in cyanoethoxycarbonylation of various aldehydes. The study revealed that the alkyl chain length and counter ion of the ionic liquid are critical for the product yield. The highest product yield of cyanohydrin carbonate (up to 96%) was obtained with C₅ alkyl chain with Br⁻ as counter ion (IL 3). On the other hand PF₆⁻ as counter ion failed to catalyze the cyanoethoxycarbonylation reaction.