Task-specific ionic liquids as reaction media for the cobalt-catalysed cyclotrimerisation reaction of arylethynes

Abstract

The use of nitrile-functionalised ionic liquids as solvents for cobalt-catalysed cyclotrimerisation reactions of monosubstituted aromatic alkynes is reported; the nitrile functionality stabilises the transient cobalt(I) catalytic species and ensures good conversions.