The introduction of fluoride by nucleophilic aromatic substitution is found to be more effective when ionic liquids e.g. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate are used as a solvent. The use of the ionic liquids increased the yield and lowered the reaction temperature of similar fluorination reactions vis-?-vis organic solvents. In absence of any suitable solvent for fluorination reactions, the ionic liquids appear to be most suitable option especially for large scale. We propose a simple, efficient and green reaction protocol for the preparation of fluorinated organic compounds by sequential halogen exchange of aromatic in the presence of ionic liquids. The operational simplicity, low temperature, high yield, eco-friendly, safe, easily scalable processes with recyclability of ionic liquids are major benefits
Ionic liquids, Halex, Green chemistry, Fluorinated organic compounds