Fluorination with ionic liquid EMIMF(HF)2.3 as mild HF source

Hydrogen fluoride is a basic fluorinating reagent, but handling it is difficult. For this reason, some modified fluorinating reagents such as HF-pyridine, Et₃N-HF, and poly(hydrogen fluoride) complex have been developed. Those reagents, however, still require aqueous work-up procedures which generate hydrogen fluoride. Recently, ionic liquids have received much attention because of the ease in handling them and the possibility of non-aqueous work-up. An ionic liquid, 3-ethyl-1-methyimidazolium oligo hydrogen fluoride (EMIMF(HF)_2.3), which is stable in air and moisture, can be used as a hydrogen fluoride equivalent for some fluorination reactions; it does not require an aqueous work-up.