A novel series of sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquids (SFILs) was found to act as efficient catalysts for ortho-tert-butylation of p-cresol with tert-butyl methyl ether (MTBE) as the tert-butylating agent without an added solvent. The mono o-tert-butylated product was obtained in up to 85.8 % isolated yield and 95.2 % selectivity under such green conditions. No O-tert-butylated byproducts were formed.
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