A novel (S)-proline-modified task-specific chiral ionic liquid—an amphiphilic recoverable catalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reactions in water

A novel chiral (S)-proline-modified task-specific ionic liquid has been designed and synthesized as an efficient recoverable organocatalyst for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction between cycloalkanones and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of water. The catalyst retains its activity and selectivity over at least five reaction cycles.