Phenolic hydroxyl-functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids were synthesized from reaction of imidazole derivatives and alkyl bromides.

The high catalytic activity of ionic liquids in the reaction of CO₂ and epoxides attributed to synergistic effect of phenolic hydroxyl and C2-H.

The TOF of IL-2 was 900 h-1 in the reaction of CO₂ and epichlorohydrin (in 90% yield) under mild reaction conditions.