β-Cyclodextrin conjugated imidazolium cation: A neutral, eco-friendly and water-miscible dicationic ionic liquid in the regioselective ring opening of epoxides

The present study, for the first time, presents a feasible protocol for the preparation of β-cyclodextrin/ imidazolium based dicationic ionic liquid, [βCD/Im](OTs)2, and its application as an efficient and eco-friendly microvessel and host ionic liquid system for the regioselective ring opening of the epoxides in water. No evidence for the formation of diol by-products or side reactions, such as isomerization, epimerization and rearrangements was observed and 1,2-disubstituted products, β-azidoalcohols, β-cyanohydrins, and β-thiocyanohydrins, obtained in pure form. Short reaction time, easy reaction conditions, simple work-up procedure, high yield, reusability, and use of an eco-friendly catalyst are some of the striking features of the present protocol.