Wacker oxidation of terminal olefins in a mixture of [bmim][BF4] and water

A simple and efficient PdCl2/CuCl catalyzed oxidation of alkenes has been successfully developed using a mixture of water and the ionic liquid [bmim][BF4] as solvent. Starting from various types of terminal olefins, the corresponding ketones have been prepared under mild reaction conditions and obtained in good to excellent yields after a simple extraction with diethyl ether. Furthermore, it was possible to recycle and reuse the ionic liquid and the catalytic system.