Product as Reaction Solvent: An Unconventional Approach for Ionic Liquid Synthesis

Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered a promising class of potentially environmentally friendly solvents for use in a variety of applications. However, they are generally synthesized by batch in nonsustainable solvents. ILs to be really “green” compounds for widespread use should be also synthesized in a benign manner. Here, we report an unconventional procedure to prepare [Bmim]Cl, as a typical IL, using the same product as solvent. This approach guarantees a high reaction rate assuring at the same time a high product purity degree. The comparison with three sustainable polar molecular solvents, having a sufficiently high boiling point (1-butanol, methylisobutylketone, and water), was also performed showing all of the potentialities of the proposed procedure.