Room-temperature ionic liquids: Neoteric solvents for clean catalysis

The use of room-temperature chloroaluminate (III) ionic liquids, specifically 1-butylpyridinium chloride-aluminium (III) chloride and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliurn chloride-aluminium (III) chloride, as solvents for catalytic processes, particularly those applicable to clean technology, is becoming widely recognized and accepted. The rationale for using these solvents is discussed here, and an indication of the scope of these solvents for future industrial processes is given.