Catalytic application of 3-methyl-1-sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate as nanostructured catalyst on the cross-aldol condensation reaction of cycloalkanones with aldehydes

3-Methyl-1-sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[Msim]FeCl4} as an efficient sulfur catalyst was prepared and applied, as an efficient catalyst, for the cross-aldol condensation reaction between cycloalkanones and arylaldehydes in order to give α,αʹ- bis(arylidene)cycloalkanones in high yields and short reaction times at 75 °C under solvent-free conditions.