Ionic liquid‐functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles ([pmim]FeCl4/MSNs): Efficient nanocatalyst for solvent‐free synthesis of N,N′‐diaryl‐substituted formamidines

We report the synthesis of ionic liquid‐functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles ([pmim]FeCl4/MSNs) via a method of post‐grafting on parent MSNs. This hybrid material was characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction and thermal analyses. The material was utilized as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of N,N′‐diaryl‐substituted formamidines through the reaction of triethyl orthoformate with arylamines under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst was recovered easily and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. The catalytic performance of nanoparticles ([pmim]FeCl4/MSNs) is confirmed for the synthesis of N,N′‐diaryl‐substituted formamidines through the reaction of triethyl orthoformate with arylamines.