Ionic Liquid-Catalyzed Internal Redox Esterification Reaction

The internal redox esterification of ,-unsaturated aldehydes and alcohols was carried out using different ionic liquids (ILs) as catalysts and reaction solvents. The basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim]OAc), exhibited the best activity for this reaction. The influences of the amount of ionic liquid catalyst and reaction time on yield of saturated ester have been investigated. The results showed that ionic liquid anions have a crucial effect on the redox esterification of ,-unsaturated aldehydes and alcohols. The nucleophilic carbenes generated in situ from the ionic liquid cation were believed to be actual active species for this reactions.