Mild and efficient synthesis of chalcone via Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction using dicationic benzimidazolium based ionic liquid

Chemistry Division, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamilnadu, India

E-mail : drprbhagat111@gmail.com

Dicationic benzimidazolium based ionic liquid (IL) plays a dual role as catalyst and solvent which offers a potential candidature for conventional homogenous catalysts and solvent for Claisen-Schmidt condensation being carried out between substituted benzaldehyde and acetophenone to produce chalcones. This IL has shown good catalytic activity towards the chalcones synthesis and chalcones can simply be separated from mixtures by simple decantation of dissolved chalcones. Catalyst can be efficiently recovered and reused without any significant loss of catalytic activity. The optimized reaction conditions were investigated for various substituents like electron withdrawing or donating group on benzaldehyde.