Catalytic Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in ionic liquids

Under mild conditions and without any additional organic solvents, Beckmann rearrangements of several ketoximes were performed in the catalytic media consisting of room temperature ionic liquid based on 1,3-dialkylimidazolium or alkylpyridinium salts and phosphorated compounds. Excellent conversion and selectivity was achieved for cyclohexanone oxime as the substrate, while Beckmann fragmentation of cyclopentanone oxime was observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.