Ionic liquid as catalyst and reaction medium: A simple, convenient and green procedure for the synthesis of thioethers, thioesters and dithianes using an inexpensive ionic liquid, [pmIm]Br

An easily accessible and inexpensive room temperature ionic liquid, 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [pmIm]Br efficiently catalyzes the reaction of alkyl halides or acyl halides with thiols without any solvent at room temperature leading to the synthesis of thioethers and thioesters in high yields. This reaction has also been extended for the preparation of dithianes and transthioetherification. The ionic liquid is recovered and recycled for subsequent runs. Keywords: dithianes; ionic liquids; thioesters; thioethers; transthioetherification