Liquid-liquid biphasic synthesis of long chain wax esters using the Lewis acidic ionic liquid choline chloride·2ZnCl2

The first liquid-liquid biphasic synthesis of wax esters in a Lewis acidic ionic liquid, choline chloride·2ZnCl₂ by the esterification of long chain carboxylic acids with long chain alcohols is described. The reported reaction system has the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with high product yield and the ease of product as well as catalyst separation without the use of an organic solvent. The ionic liquid studied plays the dual role of solvent as well as catalyst and is recycled up to six times without any significant loss of activity.