Efficient esterification of curcumin in bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-based ionic liquids

In this paper, the potential application of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide based ionic liquids paired with various cations (ammonium, piperidinium, pyridinium and imidazolium) as the recyclable reaction media for the esterification of curcumin has been investigated. The results showed that it is possible to obtain the product of curcumin diacetate (DAC) at moderate conditions and exclude the use of organic solvents, which is a high improvement in comparison to the known methods for prodrugs intermediates synthesis. In addition, the mechanism and kinetics of the esterification reaction have been studied. The presence of IL allows to reach the chemical equilibrium more rapidly, they also increase the reaction rate of the process. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

This study investigated the potential application of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide based ionic liquids paired with various cations for the esterification of curcumin, showing that the product of curcumin diacetate (DAC) can be obtained at moderate conditions without the use of organic solvents. The presence of IL in the reaction system accelerates the achievement of chemical equilibrium and increases the reaction rate.