Two carboxylic functionalized poly(ionic liquids) and polyoxometalate ionic self-assemblies with tunable amphiphilic and oxidative activity and porous structure were designed and synthesized. They were used as efficient heterogeneous catalysts exhibiting excellent catalytic activity and quite stable reusability in additive–free Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones, directly using 30% H2O2 solution in liquids–phase. Under optimum conditions, the corresponding lactones were obtained with yields ranging from 59.6 to 90.5%. The unique combination of carboxylic group with polyoxometalate anion, amphiphilic property, and porous structure is revealed to be responsible for their excellent catalytic performances in oxidation.

A simple, efficient, and selective approach for the tert-butylation of phenol and p-cresol using two double SO 3 H-functionalized long-chain Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as recyclable catalysts is reported. Under optimum reaction conditions, 89.4% conversion of the phenol and 73.7% selectivity of 2,4-tert-butyl-phenol and 93.2% conversion of the p-cresol and 89.2% selectivity of 2-tert-butyl-p-cresol were obtained. Two ionic liquids could be recovered readily and their catalytic activity almost completely retained after five recycles.