Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as efficient catalysts and mediums for the synthesis of half-esters: Structure-catalytic selectivity relationship

Br∅nsted acidic ionic liquids based on imidazolium cation were employed as efficient catalysts and mediums for the ring opening of phthalic anhydride to synthesize half-esters. Good yields, short reaction time and mild reaction condition were achieved. Lower acidity of ionic liquid resulted in higher catalytic selectivity in the synthesis of half-esters. The minimum-energy geometries of sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquids based on imidazolium cation revealed that their acidities and catalytic selectivity in the synthesis of half-esters were related to their structures.