Imidazolium salt assisted hydrolysis of 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane

The use of imidazolium-based ionic liquids as promoters was found to be highly effective for the hydrolysis reaction of CF₃CH₂Cl with aqueous potassium acetate to produce 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). Among ionic liquids tested, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim]Cl) showed the highest yield of TFE, over 90%, which is almost two times higher than that obtained in the absence of an ionic liquid. The integrity of imidazolium salt was maintained during the reaction, which was confirmed from the recycling studies and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.