An efficient procedure for the synthesis of phenacyl and benzyl azolium salts using fluorous alcohols

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of phenacyl and benzyl azolium salts in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol as fluorous alcohols have been developed. This synthetic methodology has some advantages with the respect to yield, atom efficiency, solvent and reagents used and wastes generated when compared to the currently in use methods. Using this procedure, a range of phenacyl and benzyl azolium salts can be synthesized with good to excellent yields. The pure salts are separated from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and washing with dry ether.