The 2-position of imidazolium ionic liquids: Substitution and exchange

摘要

The 2-position of imidazolium cations is known to be relatively acidic, leading to the useful Arduengo-type carbenes. At the same time, the acidity of this site can lead to undesired side reactions when using imidazolium-based ionic liquids as solvents. In this note, we describe the surprisingly facile deuterium exchange at this position and also the synthesis and exchange under modestly basic conditions (triethylamine) of a series of 2-methyl-substituted compounds.