Understanding chemical reaction mechanisms in ionic liquids: successes and challenges

The focus of this article is an examination of chemical reaction mechanisms in ionic liquids. These mechanisms are compared with those pertaining to the same reactions carried out in conventional solvents. In cases where the mechanisms differ, attempts to provide an explanation in terms of the chemical and physicochemical properties of the reactants and of the components of the ionic liquids are described. A wide range of reactions from different branches of chemistry has been selected for this purpose. A sufficient background for student readers has been included. This tutorial review should also be of interest to kineticists, and to both new and experienced investigators in the ionic liquids field.