Binary Alkoxide Ionic Liquids

Strongly basic, stable ionic liquids are rare. We report the synthesis of a series of stable binary alkoxide ionic liquids. The Hammett basicity of these ionic liquids is comparable to or greater than traditional bases such as pyridine and NaOMe. The ionic liquids catalyze the Knoevenagel condensation of malononitrile and benzaldehyde, with the best system displaying higher activity than pyridine and NaOMe, and the Aldol condensation of acetone and benzaldehyde.