Task-Specific Ionic Liquid as Reagent and Reaction Medium for the One-Pot Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons-Type Reaction Under Microwave Irradiation

A task-specific imidazolium-based phosphinite ionic liquid (IL-OPPh2) was used as the dual solvent-reagent for the synthesis of E-cinamates and coumarin derivatives via the one-pot Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons-type reaction. The ionic liquid containing its corresponding phosphinite moiety was reacted with a-chloro esters and benzaldehyde or salicylaldehyde derivatives in the presence of sodium methoxide under microwave irradiation to produce the related E-cinamates or coumarins, respectively. The satisfactory results were obtained with good yields, short reaction time, and simple experimental procedure.