Table 1. Self-esterification of benzyl alcohol to benzyl benzoate in various ILs.

Reaction conditions: Benzyl alcohol (2 mmol), 1 MPa O₂, 2 g of ILs (12 hours, 80°C). Yields were determined using gas chromatography (GC).

Entry	ILs	Conversion (%)	Yield (%)
1	[EMIM] OAc	>99	94
2	[EMIM] TFA	10	0
3	[EMIM] HSO4	16	0
4	[EMIM] BF4	3	0
5	[EMIM] N(CN)2	<1	0
6	[OMIM] OAc	<1	0
7*	[N4,4,4,4] OAc	26	0
8†	NH4Ac/DMSO	5	0

*Benzyl alcohol (2 mmol), 1 MPa O₂, 2 g of ILs, 4 hours, 110°C.

†Benzyl alcohol (2 mmol), 2 MPa O₂, 0.4 g of NH₄Ac, 2 g of DMSO, 12 hours, 80°C.