Selenonium ionic liquid as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of thioacetals under solvent-free conditions

Acidic ionic liquid butyl ethyl phenyl selenonium tetrafluoroborate, [BEPSe]BF4, was successfully employed as a catalyst for the synthesis of several dithioacetals in the absence of a solvent. The method is general and selectively afforded thioacetals derived from aldehydes and ketones in good yields.