A convenient method to access long-chain and functionalised mixed methylphosphonate esters and their application in the synthesis of ionic liquids.

A new method to synthesise long-chain and functionalised methylphosphonate esters and the corresponding ionic liquids is reported. The synthesis comprises the formation of dialkyl methylphosphonate esters in a S(N)2 reaction followed by the use of these esters as alkylating agents to form the corresponding, new alkyl methylphosphonate ILs. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011