Sonogashira coupling reactions in biodegradable ionic liquids derived from nicotinic acid

Abstract

The biodegradable ionic liquids, 3-butoxycarbonyl-1-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imides (1a–d), have been evaluated as solvents for copper- and phosphine-free Sonogashira coupling reactions. The stability of these ionic liquids toward basic conditions was analysed in order to further probe their utility for transition metal catalyzed reactions which require the presence of a base.