Abstract The application of several 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMIM) salt ionic liquids as solvent in the α-methylenation of carbonyl compounds at room temperature is reported. The ionic liquid [BMIM][NTf 2] gave a clean reaction in a short time and good yields of several α- methylene carbonyl compounds. This ionic liquid was reused without affecting the reaction rates or yields over seven runs.
