Selective O-methylation of phenols and benzyl alcohols in simple pyridinium based ionic liquids

Synthesis of pyridinium based ionic liquids were reported and applied as catalyst for the selective O-methylation of phenols and benzyl alcohols. The reactions were carried out by using dimethylcarbonate (DMC) as the methylating agent. High selectivity, high yield and recyclability of the ionic liquids are important features of the reactions.