Ambiphilic dual activation role of a task-specific ionic liquid: 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate as a recyclable promoter and medium for the green synthesis of β-nitrostyrenes.

A cost-effective task-specific ionic liquid, 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate, efficiently promotes the condensation of nitroalkanes with various aldehydes to produce β-nitrostyrenes in high to excellent yields at room temperature. This reaction does not involve any hazardous organic solvent and toxic catalyst. The ionic liquid is recovered and recycled for subsequent reactions. In addition, a novel mechanism has been proposed invoking ambiphilic dual activation influence of the ionic liquid.