Process for conducting aldol condensation reactions in ionic liquid media

摘要

The present invention is related to a method for forming aldol condensation products, comprising reacting at least one aldehyde starting material in the presence of an ionic liquid medium and a basic catalyst at a temperature range of from about -20° C. to about 300° C. and at a pressure range of from about 1 atm to about 1000 atm for a sufficient time to form the aldol condensation products. The invention is also directed to a method for forming aldol condensation products, comprising reacting at least one aldehyde starting material in the presence of a basic ionic liquid medium at the same parameters specified above. The advantage of the instant invention is the increased selectivity and productivity of the resulting aldol condensation products formed in ionic liquid media, along with the ability to recycle the ionic liquid for use in producing additional aldol condensation products.