Abstract: A chiral ionic compound comprising an alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core having an alkyl ester side chain (-alkyl-C(O)O—) directly linked to the core and an associated counter anion, characterized in that the —O— atom of the ester side chain is linked to an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality via the alpha, beta or gamma hydroxy of the acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon, or characterized in that an —N? atom of the alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core is substituted with an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxy group of a alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon. The chiral ionic liquids (CILs) may be used as novel solvents, in particular for organic synthesis. The CILs have the potential to induce asymmetry into substrates or catalysts in a variety of organic transformations.

Abstract: This invention relates to ionic liquid (ILs) solvents for chemical synthesis based on an alkyl-imidazolium cation core containing ionic liquids which have enhanced biodegradability and reduced toxicity relative to existing imidazolium bases ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (bmmim) salts. Many of the described ILs produce a score of over 60% biodegradability over 28 days in a biodegradability test such as the Sturm Test, the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D) or the CO2 Headspace Test (ISO 14593). The ILs of the invention comprise an alkyl substituted imidazolium cationic core having a —C?OX— side chain in the 3-position of the imidazole ring, wherein X?O, NH, N or S and an associated counteranion characterized in that the —C?OX side chain comprises at least one ether linkage. The biodegradable and non-toxic IL may be used as green solvents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biomass industries. The ILs of the invention are particularly useful in hydrogenation, pericyclic and metathesis reactions.

Abstract: A chiral ionic compound comprising an alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core having an alkyl ester side chain (-alkyl-C(O)O—) directly linked to the core and an associated counter anion, characterized in that the —O— atom of the ester side chain is linked to an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality via the alpha, beta or gamma hydroxy of the acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon, or characterized in that an —N? atom of the alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core is substituted with an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxy group of a alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon. The chiral ionic liquids (CILs) may be used as novel solvents, in particular for organic synthesis. The CILs have the potential to induce asymmetry into substrates or catalysts in a variety of organic transformations.

Abstract: This invention relates to ionic liquid (ILs) solvents for chemical synthesis based on an alkyl-imidazolium cation core containing ionic liquids which have enhanced biodegradability and reduced toxicity relative to existing imidazolium bases ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (bmmim) salts. Many of the described ILs produce a score of over 60% biodegradability over 28 days in a biodegradability test such as the Sturm Test, the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D) or the CO2 Headspace Test (ISO 14593). The ILs of the invention comprise an alkyl substituted imidazolium cationic core having a —C?OX— side chain in the 3-position of the imidazole ring, wherein X?O, NH, N or S and an associated counteranion characterized in that the —C?OX side chain comprises at least one ether linkage. The biodegradable and non-toxic IL may be used as green solvents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biomass industries. The ILs of the invention are particularly useful in hydrogenation, pericyclic and metathesis reactions.