A series of 5-arylmethylidene-2-thio-4-thiazolidinones were synthesized by the condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 2-thio-4-thiazolidinone in a boiling water bath for 30～75 min with alkaline ionic liquids [bmim]OH as dual solvent and catalyst in yields from 89% to 96% and identified by ¹H NMR and IR spectra. It is shown that the proposed method is easy, efficient and highly yielding. The alka-line ionic liquid is environmental friendliness and could be reused.

Key words: 5-arylmethylidene-2-thio-4-thiazolidinone, alkaline ionic liquid, synthesis