Benzoin condensation in 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids via electrochemical generation of N-heterocyclic carbene

N-heterocyclic carbenes generated by electrochemical reduction under galvanostatic control of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids were employed as organocatalysts in the benzoin condensation reaction. Benzoin was isolated in a good yield (84%) by a catalytic amount of carbene (20%). The use of toxic, volatile molecular solvents as well as any addition of bases has been avoided.