A convenient two-step synthesis of dialkylphosphate ionic liquids

Dialkylphosphate ionic liquids are useful solvents for cellulose dissolution and catalytic reactions. In this paper, a new methodology for the synthesis of hydrophobic phosphate-based ionic liquids is described. This method involves the oxidation reaction of an easily prepared H-phosphonate precursor by using the environmentally friendly and inexpensive oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide.