The Queen's University of Belfast

Suhas Katdare

Martyn Earle

Kenneth Richard Seddon

Christopher Hardacre

David W Rooney

Stewart Forsyth

Martyn J Earl

Jillian M Thompson

Ute Frohlich

Nimal Gunaratne

Use of ionic liquids as solvents in base-catalysed chemical reactions wherein the ionic liquid is composed of at least one species of cation and at least one species of anion, characterized in that a cation of the ionic liquid comprises a positively charge moiety and a basic moiety, and further wherein such ionic liquids may be used as promoters or catalysts for the chemical reactions.

Basic ionic liquids

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of an organic ionic liquid in a zeolite-catalysed process, for example an acylation, alkylation, isomerisation or hydrocracking process in which zeolites act as catalysts or catalyst precursors, especially Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation procedures.

Process utilizing zeolites as catalysts/catalyst precursors

A process for the oxidation of an alkyl-aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with an oxidising agent or sulfur compound in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. In this process, air, dioxygen, peroxide, superoxide, any other form of active oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, nitric acid or other oxides (or oxyhalides) of nitrogen (hydrate or anhydrous) are preferably used as the oxidising agent. The process is usually under Bronsted acidic conditions. The product of the oxidation reaction is preferably a carboxylic acid or ketone or an intermediate compound in the oxidation such as an aldehyde, or alcohol. The oxidation is preferably performed in an ionic liquid containing an acid promoter such as methanesulfonic acid.

Oxidation of alkyl-aromatic compounds

A process for the halogenation of an aromatic compound wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with a halogenating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. The method in preferably halide, sulfur or nitrate ionic liquids has significant advantages over conventional halogenation reactions. These are that the reaction starts with, e.g., a halide salt rather than, e.g., a halogen, and is therefore more convenient and safer. Also, when the reaction is performed in a nitrate ionic liquid, the only by-product is water.

Oxidative halogenation of aromatic compound

A process for the sulfonation of an aromatic compound wherein the aromatic compound and sulfonating agent are admixed in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. The method for the sulfonation of aromatic compounds in (e.g. water stable) ionic liquids offers advantages over conventional sulfonation reactions. These are that no by-products form, the ionic liquid is not consumed, and the sulfonating agent (e.g. SO) is relatively inexpensive.

Aromatic sulfonation reactions

A process for the nitration of an aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with a nitrating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. The method for the nitration of aromatic compounds in (e.g. neutral) ionic liquids has advantages over conventional nitrations, such as the only by-product being water, the ionic liquid not being consumed and the nitrating agent being relatively inexpensive.

Growing community of inventors

Belfast, United Kingdom

Suhas Katdare