Anhydrous K2CO3-mediated tandem deprotection of (Un)substituted phenyl Methanesulfonate/SNAr reactions to construct unsymmetrical diphenyl ethers in an ionic liquid

In an ionic liquid [Bmim]BF4 (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), an efficient anhydrous K2CO3-mediated tandem deprotection of (un)substituted phenyl methanesulfonates and nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions (SNAr) with activated (un)substituted phenyl halides to synthesize unsymmetrical diphenyl ethers has been described. The solvent could be recycled without loss of any efficiency, and the procedure was quite convenient, practical and environmentally benign.