Berthold, H., Division of Eli Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Forschung GmbH, 22419 Hamburg, Germany, Institute for Organic Chemistry, Technical University Graz, Stremayrgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
Schotten, T., Division of Eli Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Forschung GmbH, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
Hönig, H., Institute for Organic Chemistry, Technical University Graz, Stremayrgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of different homo- or heteronuclear organic compounds was performed in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) N-butyl-N′-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, ([BMIM]+ [PF6]-) (1) as solvent heated by microwave irridiation. Formate salts such as ammonium formate and triethylammonium formate were used as a hydrogen source in the reaction catalyzed by palladium on carbon. Essentially pure products could be isolated in moderate to excellent yields by simple liquid-liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Recycling of the catalyst/solvent system was possible.