Ultrasound promoted synthesis of quinolines using basic ionic liquids in aqueous media as a green procedure.

The basic ionic liquid (BIL) based on imidazolum cation efficiently catalyzes the condensation reaction of isatin with ketones by ultrasonic irradiation in aqueous media for quinoline synthesis. When two different α-protons are available in a ketone, a mixture of two quinolines is obtained. In this method, one of the quinolines with high selectivity is produced. Another significant advantage of this method is omission of subsidiary reactions, such as aldol condensation. Compared with conventional methods, the main advantages of the present procedure are its being a green method, its milder conditions, necessary shorter reaction time, and its higher yields and selectivity without the need for a transition metal catalyst. The use of BILs and ultrasound promoted this protocol under room temperature. By changing the type of BILs, ultrasonic irradiation time, and ultrasonic frequency, synthesis of quinolines is manageable.