The double role of ionic liquids in organic electrosynthesis: Precursors of N-heterocyclic carbenes and green solvents. Henry reaction

N-heterocyclic carbenes, electrogenerated by cathodic reduction of imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), are stable bases able to catalyze the Henry reaction. Accordingly, the electrosynthesis of β-nitroalcohols has been achieved, under mild conditions and in high yields, by stirring nitromethane and aldehydes in previously electrolyzed RTILs. RTILs have been used as green solvents as well as precursors of N-heterocyclic carbenes.