Phosphonium acidic ionic liquid: an efficient and recyclable homogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles, 2-arylbenzimidazoles, and 2-arylbenzothiazoles.

A highly efficient and green strategy for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles, 2-arylbenzimidazoles, and 2-arylbenzothiazoles catalyzed by phosphonium acidic ionic liquid has been developed via the condensation of o -aminophenol, o -phenylenediamines, and o -aminothiophenol, respectively, with aldehydes. The reaction has a good yield, the broad substrate scope, and mild condition. Triphenyl(butyl-3-sulphonyl)phosphonium toluenesulfonate catalyst was easily obtained from cheap and available starting materials through a one-pot synthesis. Its structure was identified by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 31 P NMR, and FT-IR techniques. Other properties including thermal stability and acidity were determined by TGA and Hammett acidity function method. Interestingly, the catalyst can maintain its constantly outstanding performance till the fourth recovery.