Synthesis of 1,2-azidoalcohols from epoxides using a task-specific protic ionic liquid: 1-hydrogen-3-methylimidazolium azide

A task-specific ionic liquid as an environmentally eco-friendly green catalyst has been synthesized and used in the ring opening of epoxides under green conditions. In order to use protic ionic liquids (PIL), we decided to synthesize 1,2-azidoalcohols via a ring opening reaction of epoxides with 1-hydrogen-3-methylimidazolium azide ([Hmim]N3), which actually acts as a solvent, a reagent and an activator of the epoxide ring. The reaction was carried out in short times (50–70 min) at 70 °C to give 1,2-azidoalcohol in 80–94% isolated yields.