Facile aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) reactions in ionic liquids: an electrophile–nucleophile dual activation by [Omim]Br for the reaction

Abstract

A facile aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) reaction in recyclable [Omim]Br under relatively mild conditions has been described. An electrophile–nucleophile dual activation by [Omim]Br is also discovered based on control experiments, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies. This chemistry provides an efficient and metal-free approach for the generation of C_aryl–X (XS, N, O) bonds, many of which are significant synthetic intermediates or drugs, making this methodology attractive to both synthetic and medicinal chemistry.