Synthesis of new chiral ionic liquids from natural acids and their applications in enantioselective Michael addition

Two kinds of novel chiral ionic liquids based on imidazolium have been synthesized from chiral pool by a simple and straightforward procedure in good overall yields (44–60%). The application of CILs as reaction media in the enantioselective Michael addition of diethyl malonate to 1,3-diphenyl-prop-2-en-1-one has also been studied (yield 90–96%, 10–25% ee).