Task-specific deep eutectic solvents with synergistic catalytic performance as excellent and recyclable catalysts for Beckmann rearrangement

Abstract

Novel “task-specific” deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized and were used in the Beckmann rearrangement reaction to prepare ε-caprolactam, with DES [InCl₃][AA]₂ achieving 100% cyclohexanone oxime (CHO) conversion and 99.5% ε-caprolactam (CPL) selectivity under 80 °C for 2 h. This “task-specific” approach gives some advantages to the reaction, such as rapid reaction speed, high yield of the target product, easy catalyst recovery, and good universality, making the DES catalytic system of great academic significance and have potential application prospects.