Ionic liquids bis(2-N-methylimidazoliumethyl)ether dichloroiodate/dibromochlorate as an efficient halogenating reagent for the synthesis of α-haloketones

Bis(2-N-methylimidazoliumethyl)ether dichloroiodate/dibromochlorate is found to be an effective reagent system for the alpha-chlorination/bromination of carbonyl compounds. These novel solid halogenating reagents are readily prepared from an ionic liquid and molecular halogen in high yields. alpha-halogenation reaction occurs under mild conditions yielding the products in good to excellent yields.