Deep eutectic solvent catalyzed eco-friendly synthesis of imines and hydrobenzamides

The urea-choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent was found to be an efficient catalyst and reaction media for the additive-free synthesis of imines (Schiff bases) and hydrobenzamides by the reaction of aldehydes with amines and ammonia in good to high yields. Outstanding features of this protocol were the general and atom-economical reaction, absence of external catalysts and additives, simple workup, and availability and recycling of urea-choline chloride as a green solvent.