Pyrylium sulfonate based ionic liquids

Pyrylium salts represent a new group of ionic liquids (ILs) containing a positive charge on the oxygen atom. The novel ILs were obtained starting with 4-pyrones from petroleum feedstock and renewable resources and sulfonic acids. The use of carboxylic acids instead of salts resulted in the formation of cocrystals. The synthesized pyrylium ionic liquids were stable in air and in contact with water and common organic solvents. The permanganate indices which are characteristic for prepared sulfonates were also investigated. The pyrylium ionic liquids were useful as immobilizers and dissolving agents in hydrosilylation reactions.