Update 1 of: Ionic Liquids in Heterocyclic Synthesis. The root paper of this title was published in Chem. Rev. 2008, 108 (6), 2015-2050

Heterocycles form by far the largest of the classical divisions of organic chemistry. Moreover, they are of immense importance not only both biologically and industrially but to the functioning of any developed human society as well. Their participation in a wide range of areas cannot be underestimated. The majority of pharmaceutical products that mimic natural products with biological activity are heterocycles. Additionally, ionic liquids (IL) have attracted increasing interest recently in the context of green organic synthesis. Although ionic liquids were initially introduced as alternative green reaction media because of their unique chemical and physical properties of nonvolatility, nonflammability, thermal stability, and controlled miscibility, today they have marched far beyond this boundary, showing their significant role in controlling reactions as solvent or catalysts. The ILs were interacting with solutes via high dipolar and dispersion forces and were also acting as strong hydrogen bond bases.