Mechanism of Cu(II) catalysed heterocyclic rearrangement in ionic liquids.

What is it about?

In this work we carried out a kinetic and mechanistic investigation of a heterocyclic rearrangement reaction involving 1,2,4-oxadiazole to 1,2,3-triazole conversion. In particular, this reaction is promoted by Cu(II) salts and we reported the first investigation on the mechanism of this reaction in imidazolium-based ionic liquids differing for the anion. Also different cu(II) salts were taken into account.

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Why is it important?

This work shows that the reaction is faster in ILs compared with conventional solvents. Moreover, different reaction outcomes arise by changing the IL anion. This can be explained by considering the nature of ILs as nanostrucred fluids and supramolecular polymers.