DBU-Based Dicationic Ionic Liquids Promoted Esterification Reaction of Carboxylic Acid with Primary Chloroalkane Under Mild Conditions

Abstract A series of DBU-based (DBU = 1, 8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene) dicationic ionic liquids with different anions were successfully synthesized by the reaction of DBU and 1, 6-dichlorohexane. Therein, the dicationic ionic liquid 1, 1′-(hexane-1, 6-diyl)bis(1, 8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0]undec-7-enium) dichlorine ( IL-1 ) was successfully employed as an efficient catalyst in esterification reaction of carboxylic acids with primary chloroalkanes under mild conditions without any additional basic reagents. Moreover, the optimum catalyst could be efficiently reused for five times without any significant change on the catalytic effect. The improved protocol is not only efficient, but also green and pollution-free. Graphical Abstract