Synthesis of thiazolium salts and their screening for catalytic activity

A facile synthetic method to prepare thiazolium‐based ionic liquids in high yield was developed. The direct alkylation of thiazole was performed using a trialkyl orthoester as both the alkyl donor and the solvent. The synthesized thiazolium salts were subsequently screened for their ability to catalyze the benzoin condensation reaction. Of the salts that were tested, 3‐butyl,4,5‐dimethyl thiazolium salt, was found to be the best catalyst.