Utilisation of ionic liquid solvents for the synthesis of Lily-of-the-Valley fragrance {β-Lilial®; 3-(4-t-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal}

The Heck reaction has been utilised in an ionic liquid to selectively form β-Lilial® which currently produced in the fine chemicals industry on the kiloton scale. The ionic liquid reaction shows higher rates of reaction than organic solvents and may be recycled easily.