Catalytic Carbon−Hydrogen Bond Functionalization in an Ionic Liquid Medium

The functionalization of unreactive C−H bonds of several hydrocarbons has been achieved at room temperature by the formal insertion of carbene/CHCO₂Et units (from ethyl diazoacetate) into such bonds, using copper-based catalysts in a biphasic reaction medium (ionic liquid-hydrocarbon). Catalyst and product separation has been carried out easily, and the recycle of the catalyst for five cycles has been achieved without any loss of catalytic activity.