The ultrasounds–ionic liquids synergy on the copper catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition between phenylacetylene and 4-azidoquinoline

The effect of ultrasound irradiation on the copper catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition between phenylacetylene and 4-azidoquinoline has been studied in solution of different ionic liquids. In particular, we used ionic liquids featuring both aliphatic and aromatic mono- and dications, as well as anions differing in size, symmetry and coordination ability. We also examined the influence of the ionic liquids structural features on the reaction outcomes, finding that under magnetic stirring reactivity is favorably affected by the solvent structural organization, while under sonochemical conditions an opposite trend was observed. In all cases examined, sonochemical activation leads to significant reduction in energy consumption as compared to the reaction conducted under magnetic stirring.