Synthesis of functionalized chiral ammonium, imidazolium, and pyridinium-based ionic liquids derived from (−)-ephedrine using solvent-free microwave activation. Applications for the asymmetric Michael addition

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of functionalized chiral ammonium, imidazolium, and pyridinium-based ionic liquids derived from (1R, 2S)-ephedrine using solvent-free microwave activation has been described. Good yields were obtained in very short reaction time. These chiral ionic liquids were used as chiral reaction media for the asymmetric Michael addition, giving good yields and moderate enantioselectivities.