Ionic liquid-derived polyelectrolyte promoting the biphasic condensation of immiscible reactants at moderate temperature

Abstract

A tri-n-octyl(sulfobutyl)phosphonium-based ionic liquid catalyst (ILC1) formed a triphasic system with glycerol and oleic acid, dissolving both reactants and effectively catalysing their condensation to produce glyceryl oleate. An ILC monomer structurally analogous to ILC1 was co-polymerised with divinylbenzene to afford a cross-linked polyelectrolyte promoting the above reaction at <100 °C.