A green approach for efficient α-halogenation of β-dicarbonyl compounds and cyclic ketones using N-halosuccinimides in ionic liquids

Room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are used as a green recyclable reaction media for the α-monohalogenation of 1,3-diketones, β-keto-esters and cyclic ketones with N-halosuccinimides in excellent yields in the absence of a catalyst. The recovered ionic liquid was reused five to six times with consistent activity.