Halogenation of Carbonyl Compounds by an Ionic Liquid, [AcMIm]X, and Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)

An ionic liquid, acetylmethylimidazolium halide ([AcMIm]X), in combination with ceric ammonium nitrate promotes halogenations of a wide variety of ketones and 1,3-keto esters at the a-position. The ionic liquid acts here as reagent as well as reaction medium, and thus the reaction does not require any organic solvent or conventional halogenating agent. The reaction is completely arrested when the radical quencher TEMPO is used. A plausible radical mechanism is also suggested.