An acidic functional ionic liquid 1-(3-sulfonic group)propyl-3-methylimidazole p-toluenesulfonate[(HSO3-pmim)pTSA] was synthesized,characterized and used to catalyze the esterification of rosin with methanol.

An acidic functional ionic liquid 1-(3-sulfonic group)propyl-3-methylimidazole dihydrogen phosphate((HSO3-pmim) H2PO4) was synthesized and used to catalyze the esterification of terpineol with acetic anhydride.

An acidic functional ionic liquid 1-(3-sulfonic group)propyl-3-methylimidazole dihydro-phosphate((HSO3-pmim)H2PO4) was prepared and characterized by FT-IR,1H NMR and 13C NMR.

The basic functionalized ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide([BMIM]OH), was prepared and used to catalyze the Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate.

Synthesis of tri-butyl citrate using acid functionalized ionic liquid as catalyst;

Hydroxyl functionalized ionic liquid 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate([2-hydemim][BF4])was prepared under microwave irradiation via methylimidazolium,chlorohydrin and sodium tetrafluoroborate as materials.

This paper introduces the preparation of task-specific ionic liquids,summarizes the latest developments of task-specific ionic liquids in food industry,and discusses the developments of task-specific ionic liquids in preparation of raw materials,analysis and purification in food industry,as well as biotechnology.

The application oftask-specific ionic liquids with specific functional groups, which can be used as bothof reagent and medium, but also catalyze special reactions, further enhances theversatility of ionic liquids.

Task-specific ionic liquids can be used for the supports of organic synthesis, catalysis,ion conductive materials,separation of specific metal ions from aqueous solutions and so on.