Methimazole-based ionic liquids

The alkylation reaction of 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole 1a with iodoethane and chlorobutane produced S-alkylmethimazole halides 2a and 2b which were subjected to anion metathesis with two different metal salts (MA) to afford methimazole-based room-temperature ionic liquids 3a, 3b, and 3c in 82%, 85%, and 87% yields, respectively. S-Alkylation giving 2a and 2b suggests that methimazole reacts through the thione tautomer.