Umpolung reactions in an ionic liquid catalyzed by electrogenerated N-heterocyclic carbenes. Synthesis of saturated esters from activated α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c2cc30371j

The umpolung reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to saturated esters has been carried out in an ionic liquid by organocatalysis of electrogenerated NHC. The roles of solvent, precatalyst and proton donor of the ionic liquid have been verified and good to high yields of esters have been obtained using a "green" and mild methodology.