Opening the epoxide ring is one of the most important reactions in organic chemistry. This reaction has been studied in various organic solvents using various catalysts. This project focuses on the study of ring opening of chalcone epoxides using an ionic liquid-Lewis acid catalytic system. Ionic liquids are nonvolatile, nonflammable materials that can be recovered and reused leaving little environmental footprint. Using ionic liquids in the development of environmentally benign and cost-effective catalytic systems for chemical transformations can increase their value as alternative reaction media. Two Lewis acidic ionic liquids were prepared by reacting either ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride with SnCl<sub>2.</sub> The catalytic systems were then used in the ring opening reactions of <i>trans</i>-1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxypropan-1-one via intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation. The reaction was completed in 30 minutes with good yields and the catalytic system was reused for up to five times. The developed method offers a simple, convenient and green pathway for the ring opening of chalcone epoxides using an efficient ionic liquid-Lewis acid catalytic system.

Ring opening of chalcone epoxides in a Lewis acidic ionic liquid via intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation

255th National Meeting (2018)

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