ABSTRACT

The use of specific catalysts for the synthesis of desired asymmetric compounds has generated tremendous interest from an academic, as well as industrial perspective, specifically in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. Catalysts that are widely used for organic transformations, especially in asymmetric synthesis, can be divided into three general categories: biocatalysts, metal ion catalysts, and organocatalysts. Biocatalysts are typically very efficient, but their isolation and, purification after the completion of a reaction are often difficult and very laborious. Immobilized supports typically include silica and polymeric materials, but recently there has been growing interest in the use of ionic liquids as support. Ionic liquids that have magnetic properties form a unique category of compounds that have gained widespread application. Other ionic liquids with magnetic properties have been synthesized and evaluated; the Warner group synthesized magnetic ionic liquids from amino acids. The magnetic room temperature ionic liquid has a novel magnetic ionic liquid design and was investigated as a possible separation agent.