Dialkylimidazolium dimethyl phosphates as solvents and catalysts for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction

The reaction between benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate is investigated in 1,3-dialkylimidazolium salts as solvents. The impact of both ions in these ionic liquids on the yield of the condensation reaction product is examined. Potentiometric titrations are employed for quantitative analyses of the best ionic liquids, revealing these to be 1,3-dialkylimidazolium dimethyl phosphates.