Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized ionic liquids and the application to hydrosilylation

Novel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized ionic liquid (mPEGBImPF(6)) Was prepared by alkylation of 1-butylimidazole with monomethoxy PEG methanesulfonate followed by anion exchange and used as a reaction medium for the hydrosilylation of different alkenes with triethoxysilane. It was found that both the conversion and selectivity of beta-product of these hydrosilylation reactions could be improved in mPEGBImPF(6). Compared with the unfunctionalized ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and common organic solvents, mPEGBImPF(6) provided enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity for the hydrosilylation of styrene with triethoxysilane. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.