n-Butylammonium carboxylates/Tf2O: ionic liquid based systems for the synthesis of unsymmetrical imides via a Ritter-type reaction

We have developed a new method for the preparation of unsymmetrical imides using liquid carboxylate salts via a Ritter-type process. The reactions were carried out with nitriles and n-butylammonium carboxylates as ionic liquids in the presence of triflic anhydride (Tf2O) as the promoter. Mild reaction conditions, simplicity of the procedure, and proton-free conditions are the main advantages of this procedure.