A new diphenylphosphinite ionic liquid (IL-OPPh2) as reagent and solvent for highly selective bromination, thiocyanation or isothiocyanation of alcohols and trimethylsilyl and tetrahydropyranyl ethers

A new diphenylphosphinite ionic liquid (IL-OPPh₂) is introduced. This ionic liquid is used as both a reagent and a solvent to convert alcohols and trimethylsilyl and tetrahydropyranyl (THP) ethers into their corresponding alkyl bromides, thiocyanates or isothiocyanates in the presence of Br₂ and SCN⁻ at 80 °C. In this ionic liquid, bromination and thiocyanation of alcohols occurs highly selectively in the presence of trimethylsilyl and THP-ethers and also between different classes of alcohols. The use of this ionic liquid allows easy separation of the desired products from the phosphinate by-product.