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.