Schmidt reaction in ionic liquids: highly efficient and selective conversion of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes to nitriles with [BMIM(SO3H)][OTf] as catalyst and [BMIM][PF6] as solvent

A mild and selective method is presented for the conversion of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes to nitriles via the Schmidt reaction with TMSN3 by using [BMIM(SO3H)][OTf] as catalyst and [BMIM][PF6] as solvent. The method offers high yields and simple product isolation, and avoids the use of liquid superacids or corrosive Lewis acids commonly employed for this transformation. It also offers some potential for recycling/reuse of the IL solvent.