Nucleophilic aromatic cine-substitution of hydrogen: the ionic liquid-promoted von Richter reaction

Conversion of 4-R-nitrobenzenes into 3-R-benzoic acids under the action of KCN in the EtOH–H₂O mixture (the von Richter reaction) is significantly accelerated by ionic liquids thus allowing to extend the scope of the reaction. The finding is pioneering ionic liquid- promoted nucleophilic aromatic cine-substitution of hydrogen.