A highly active ionic liquid catalyst for Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

The Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction is an efficient carbon–carbon bond forming reaction for the preparation of α-methylene-β-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. A new and highly active di-naphthalene imidazolium salt has been synthesized. We have found that 1,3-bis[2-(naphthalene-2-yloxy)propyl]imidazolium bromid promoted the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of various aryl aldehyde compounds in the absence of solvents. Our studies show that the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction by the influence of ionic liquid to give a high yield and short reaction time.