Towards reaction control using an ionic liquid: biasing outcomes of reactions of benzyl halides

The effect of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide on substitution and elimination reactions of benzyl halides is examined and solvent control of the reaction outcome demonstrated. In competing reactions, the ionic liquid is shown to favour unimolecular processes over bimolecular processes and substitution over elimination, irrespective of the mole fraction of ionic liquid used. Temperature dependent analyses, where possible, are used to determine the microscopic origins of these effects.