Stetter Reaction in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids and Application to the Synthesis of Haloperidol

Abstract
Imidazolium‐type room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been used for the Stetter reaction, affording the desired 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds in good yields. Thiazolium salts and Et3N are efficient catalysts for this reaction performed in ionic liquid. The possibility to recycle and reuse the solvent has been demonstrated, although it was not possible to recycle the thiazolium catalyst. This method was used in the total synthesis of haloperidol.