Anion–cation co-operative catalysis by artificial sweetener saccharine-based ionic liquid for sustainable synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrano[c]chromenes, 4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyran and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans in aqueous medium

In this study, a saccharine-based ionic liquid [Bmim]Sac has been found to be a sustainable catalyst for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrano[c]chromenes, 4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyran and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans scaffolds through Domino Knoevenagel–Michael reaction. The easy recovery of the catalyst and high yield of the products make the protocol attractive, sustainable and economical. A mechanistic hypothesis is discussed using the concept of cooperative catalysis based on the dual (electrophilic/nucleophilic) activation of reactants by [Bmim]Sac. Furthermore, dual hydrogen bonding of saccharinate anions plays an important role in the activation of nucleophiles.