Henry and Knoevenagel reactions catalyzed by methoxyl propylamine acetate ionic liquid

Henry reactions and Knoevenagel reactions, used to prepare substituted olefins, have been limited by complex catalyst separation. In this article, methoxyl propylamine acetate ionic liquid was used as an environmentally benign catalyst for these reactions under solvent-free condition for the first time. This ionic liquid was shown to effectively catalyze Henry reactions and Knoevenagel reaction of active nitromethane compounds with various aldehydes. Yields from the catalyzed reactions were over 99% under solvent free condition. The process is highly effective, environmentally benign, and very selective. Furthermore, methoxyl propylamine acetate ionic liquid was conveniently separated with the products and easily recycled to catalyze Knoevenagel reaction again with excellent yields.