Tunable Aryl Alkyl Ionic Liquids with Weakly Coordinating Tetrakis((1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropan‐2‐yl)oxy)borate [B(hfip)4] Anions

Weakly coordinating borate or aluminate anions have recently been shown to yield interesting properties of the resulting ionic liquids (ILs). The same is true for large phenyl‐substituted imidazolium cations, which can be tuned by the choice, position, or number of substituents on the aromatic ring. We were therefore interested to combine these aryl alkyl imidazolium cations with the weakly coordinating tetrakis((1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropan‐2‐yl)oxy)borate [B(hfip)₄]^? anions to study the physical properties and viscosities of these ionic liquids. Despite the large size and high molecular weight of these readily available ILs, they are liquid at room temperature and show remarkably low glass transition points and relatively high decomposition temperatures.     

Ionic Association of the Ionic Liquids [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][PF6], and [Cnmim]Br in Molecular Solvents

Considering the ionic nature of ionic liquids (ILs), ionic association is expected to be essential in solutions of ILs and to have an important influence on their applications. Although numerous studies have been reported for the ionic association behavior of ILs in solution, quantitative results are quite scarce. Herein, the conductivities of the ILs [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12), [C₄mim][BF₄], and [C₄mim][PF₆] in various molecular solvents (water, methanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐pentanol, acetonitrile, and acetone) are determined at 298.15 K as a function of IL concentration. The conductance data are analyzed by the Lee–Wheaton conductivity equation in terms of the ionic association constant (K_A) and the limiting molar conductance (Λ_m⁰). Combined with the values for the Br^? anion reported in the literature, the limiting molar conductivities and the transference numbers of the cations and [BF₄]^? and [PF₆]^? anions are calculated in the molecular solvents. It is shown that the alkyl chain length of the cations and type of anion affect the ionic association constants and limiting molar conductivities of the ILs. For a given anion (Br^?), the Λ_m⁰ values decrease with increasing alkyl chain length of the cations in all the molecular solvents, whereas the K_A values of the ILs decrease in organic solvents but increase in water as the alkyl chain length of the cations increases. For the [C₄mim]⁺ cation, the limiting molar conductivities of the ILs decrease in the order Br^?>[BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?, and their ionic association constants follow the order [BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?>Br^? in water, acetone, and acetonitrile. Furthermore, and similar to the classical electrolytes, a linear relationship is observed between ln K_A of the ILs and the reciprocal of the dielectric constants of the molecular solvents. The ILs are solvated to a different extent by the molecular solvents, and ionic association is affected significantly by ionic solvation. This information is expected to be useful for the modulation of the IL conductance by the alkyl chain length of the cations, type of anion, and physical properties of the molecular solvents.     

Physico-Chemical Properties of Magnetic Dicationic Ionic Liquids with Tetrahaloferrate Anions

A series of imidazolium-based symmetrical and asymmetrical dicationic ionic liquids (DcILs) with alkyl spacers of different length and with [FeCl₃Br]⁻ as counter ion have been synthesized. The synthesized DcILs are characterized by using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry, along with single-crystal XRD analysis. Physicochemical properties such as solubility, thermal stability and magnetic susceptibility are also measured. These compounds show low melting points, good solubility in water and organic solvents, thermal stability, and paramagnetism. The products of molar susceptibility and temperature (χ_mol⋅T) for the synthesized DcILs have been found between 4.05 to 4.79 emu mol⁻¹ K Oe⁻¹ and effective magnetic moment values have also been determined to be compared to that expected from the spin-only approximation.     

[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH2]+[Bis(triazolyl)–BH2]− Ionic Liquids with High Density and Energy Capacity

[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[bis(triazolyl)–BH₂]^? and [bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[tris(triazolyl)–BH]^? were synthesized, the cations and anions of which were functionalized with B?H groups and azoles. As B?H groups contribute to the hypergolic activity and azole groups improve the energy output, the resulting ionic liquids exhibited ignition delay times as low as 20 ms and energy outputs as high as 461.1 kJ mol^?1. In addition, densities (1.07–1.22 g cm^?3) and density‐specific impulse (≈360 s g cm^?3) values reached a relatively high level. These ionic liquids show great promise as sustainable rocket fuels.     

New Water‐Stable Ionic Liquids Based on Tetrakis‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)borate

Several new ionic liquids (ILs) were prepared from Na[B(tfe)4] (tfe=OCH₂CF₃) via metathesis, including one room temperature IL (RTIL). Prior to synthesis, suitable cations were chosen via predictive quantum‐chemical calculations. Nuclear magnetic resonance monitoring over almost a month showed a total stability of the anion in the presence of water. The temperature‐dependent viscosities and melting points of all the new ILs were determined. The data indicate that [B(tfe)₄]^? ILs may be too viscous for electrochemical applications, but are interesting candidates for lubricant research.     

含稀土离子液体[Cnmim][Ln（NO3）4]的合成、表征及荧光性能研究

以N-甲基咪唑,溴代烷烃和硝酸钠为原料,合成了5种离子液体[Cnmim]NO3(n=2,4,6,8,10;mim=N-甲基咪唑),并对离子液体进行了表征.用[Cnmim]NO3与硝酸铕、硝酸铽反应,得到了含稀土离子液体[Cnmim][Ln(NO3)4](Ln=Eu,Tb).利用电喷雾质谱对[Cnmim][Ln(NO3)4]的结构进行了表征,结果表明稀土离子与来自4个硝酸根的8个氧原子配位,形成[Ln(NO3)4]阴离子,阳离子为1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑.荧光研究表明,[Cnmim][Ln(NO3)4](Ln=Eu,Tb)的溶液存在较强荧光;温度和浓度影响荧光强度.     

Transport,Electrochemical and Thermophysical Properties of Two N‐Donor‐Functionalised Ionic Liquids

Two N‐donor‐functionalised ionic liquids (ILs), 1‐ethyl‐1,4‐dimethylpiperazinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 1 ) and 1‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)‐dimethylethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 2 ), were synthesised and their electrochemical and transport properties measured. The data were compared with the benchmark system, N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ( 3 ). Marked differences in thermal and electrochemical stability were observed between the two tertiary‐amine‐functionalised salts and the non‐functionalised benchmark. The former are up to 170 K and 2 V less stable than the structural counterpart lacking a tertiary amine function. The ion self‐diffusion coefficients (D_i) and molar conductivities (Λ) are higher for the IL with an open‐chain cation ( 2 ) than that with a cyclic cation ( 1 ), but less than that with a non‐functionalised, heterocyclic cation ( 3 ). The viscosities (η) show the opposite behaviour. The Walden [Λ∝(1/η)^t] and Stokes–Einstein [D_i/T)∝(1/η)^t] exponents, t, are very similar for the three salts, 0.93–0.98 (±0.05); that is, the self‐diffusion coefficients and conductivity are set by η. The D_i for 1 and 2 are the same, within experimental error, at the same viscosity, whereas Λ for 1 is approximately 13 % higher than that of 2 . The diffusion and molar conductivity data are consistent, with a slope of 0.98±0.05 for a plot of ln(ΛT) against ln(D₊+D_?). The Nernst–Einstein deviation parameters (Δ) are such that the mean of the two like‐ion VCCs is greater than that of the unlike ions. The values of Δ are 0.31, 0.36 and 0.42 for 3 , 1 and 2 , respectively, as is typical for ILs, but there is some subtlety in the ion interactions given 2 has the largest value. The distinct diffusion coefficients (DDC) follow the order ${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop - - \hfill}}}$ <${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop ++\hfill}}}$ <${D{{{\rm d}\hfill \atop +- \hfill}}}$ , as is common for [Tf₂N]^? salts. The ion motions are not correlated as in an electrolyte solution: instead, there is greater anti‐correlation between the velocities of a given anion and the overall ensemble of anions in comparison to those for the cationic analogue, the anti‐correlation for the velocities of which is in turn greater than that for a given ion and the ensemble of oppositely charged ions, an observation that is due to the requirement for the conservation of momentum in the system. The DDC also show fractional SE behaviour with t～0.95.     

Tetracyanido(difluorido)phosphates M+[PF2(CN)4]−

The systematic study of the reaction of M[PF₆] salts and Me₃SiCN led to a synthetic method for the synthesis and isolation of a series of salts containing the unprecedented [PF₂(CN)₄]^? ion in good yields. The reaction temperature, pressure, and stoichiometry were optimized. The crystal structures of M[PF₂(CN)₄] (M=[nBu₄N]⁺, Ag⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, H₅O₂⁺) were determined. X‐ray crystallography showed the exclusive formation of the cis isomer in accord with ³¹P and ¹⁹F solution NMR spectroscopy data. Starting with the K[PF₂(CN)₄] the room temperature ionic liquid EMIm[PF₂(CN)₄] was prepared exhibiting a rather low viscosity.     

Halide‐Free Synthesis of Hydrochalcogenide Ionic Liquids of the Type [Cation][HE] (E=S,Se, Te)

We present the synthesis and thorough characterization of ionic liquids and organic salts based on hydrochalcogenide HE^? (E=S, Se, Te) anions. Our approach is based on halide‐, metal‐, and water‐free decarboxylation of methylcarbonate precursors under acidic conditions, resulting from the easily dissociating reagents H₂E. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, thermal and single‐crystal XRD analyses. The hydrosulfide salts were investigated with respect to their ability to dissolve elemental sulfur in varying stoichiometry. Thus‐prepared polysulfide ILs were also analyzed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

离子液体[Cnpy][NTf2] (n=2, 4, 5)的动力粘度和电导率

在298.15-338.15 K和283.15-338.15 K温度范围内,分别测量了N-烷基吡啶双三氟甲磺酸亚胺(烷基链分别为:乙基、丁基、戊基)三种疏水型离子液体的动力粘度和电导率.利用Arrhenius 方程和Fulcher 方程将测量的动力粘度和电导率对温度拟合,得到了动力粘度和电导率随温度变化方程式.从电导率和密度计算出了上述三种离子液体在283.15-338.15 K温度范围内的摩尔电导率.应用Walden 规则,描述了动力粘度与摩尔电导率之间的关系.     

Synthesis and Physical Properties of Tunable Aryl Alkyl Ionic Liquids (TAAILs)

Tunable aryl alkyl ionic liquids (TAAILs) based on the imidazolium cation were first reported in 2009. Since then, a series of TAAILs with different properties due to the electron-donating or -withdrawing effect of the substituents at the aryl ring has been developed. Herein, a wide variety of those ionic liquids (ILs) is presented in terms of their cation structure. The authors synthesized ILs containing the bromide or bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anion and 1-aryl-3-alkyl imidazolium cations with various substituents in the ortho and/ or para position of the phenyl ring and alkyl chains of different lengths varying from butyl to dodecyl. The differences of their physical properties (melting point, thermal decomposition, viscosity, electro-chemical window) of these ILs are reported according to their structure.     

Temperature Dependence of the Viscosity and Conductivity of Mildly Functionalized and Non‐Functionalized [Tf2N]− Ionic Liquids

A series of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids (ILs) with classical as well as mildly functionalized cations was prepared and their viscosities and conductivities were determined as a function of the temperature. Both were analyzed with respect to Arrhenius, Litovitz and Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) behaviors, as well as in the context of their molecular volume (V_m). Their viscosity and conductivity are highly correlated with V_m/T or related expressions (R²≥0.94). With the knowledge of V_m of new cations, these correlations allow the temperature‐dependent prediction of the viscosity and conductivity of hitherto unknown, non‐ or mildly functionalized ILs with low error bars (0.05 and 0.04 log units, respectively). The influence of the cation structure and mild functionalization on the physical properties was studied with systematically altered cations, in which V_m remained similar. The T_o parameter obtained from the VFT fits was compared to the experimental glass temperature (T_g) and the T_g/T_o ratio for each IL was calculated using both experimental values and Angell’s relationship. With Walden plots we investigated the IL ionicity and interpreted it in relation to the cation effects on the physical IL properties. We checked the validity of these V_m/T relations by also including the recently published variable temperature viscosity and conductivity data of the [Al(OR^F)₄]^? ILs with R^F=C(H)(CF₃)₂ (error bars for the prediction: 0.09 and 0.10 log units, respectively).     

Synthesis,Structure, and Physico‐optical Properties of Manganate(II)‐Based Ionic Liquids

Several ionic liquids (ILs) based on complex manganate(II) anions with chloro, bromo, and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amido (Tf₂N) ligands have been synthesized. As counterions, n‐alkyl‐methylimidazolium (C_nmim) cations of different chain length (alkyl=ethyl (C₂), propyl (C₃), butyl (C₄), hexyl (C₆)) were chosen. Except for the 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ILs, all of the prepared compounds could be obtained in a crystalline state at room temperature. However, each of the compounds displayed a strong tendency to form a supercooled liquid. Generally, solidification via a glass transition took place below ?40 °C. Consequently, all of these compounds can be regarded as ionic liquids. Depending on the local coordination environment of Mn²⁺, green (tetrahedrally coordinated Mn²⁺) or red (octahedrally coordinated Mn²⁺) luminescence emission from the ⁴T(G) level is observed. 1 The local coordination of the luminescent Mn²⁺ centre has been unequivocally established by UV/Vis as well as Raman and IR vibrational spectroscopies. Emission decay times measured at room temperature in the solid state (crystalline or powder) were generally a few ms, although, depending on the ligand, values of up to 25 ms were obtained. For the bromo compounds, the luminescence decay times proved to be almost independent of the physical state and the temperature. However, for the chloro‐ and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amido ILs, the emission decay times were found to be dependent on the temperature even in the solid state, indicating that the measured values are strongly influenced by nuclear motion and the vibration of the atoms. In the liquid state, the luminescence of tetrahedrally coordinated Mn²⁺ could only be observed when the tetrachloromanganate ILs were diluted with the respective halide ILs. However, for [C₃mim][Mn(Tf₂N)₃], in which Mn²⁺ is in an octahedral coordination environment, a weak red emission from the pure compound was found even in the liquid state at elevated temperatures.     

Synthesis and Thermophysical Properties of Ether‐Functionalized Sulfonium Ionic Liquids as Potential Electrolytes for Electrochemical Applications

During this work, a novel series of hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) based on five ether functionalized sulfonium cations bearing the bis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}imide, [NTf₂]^? anion were synthesized and characterized. Their physicochemical properties, such as density, viscosity and ionic conductivity, electrochemical window, along with thermal properties including phase transition behavior and decomposition temperature, have been measured. All of these ILs showed large liquid range temperature, low viscosity, and good conductivity. Additionally, by combining DFT calculations along with electrochemical characterization it appears that these novel ILs show good electrochemical stability windows, suitable for the potential application as electrolyte materials in electrochemical energy storage devices.     

Intermolecular Interactions in Li+‐glyme and Li+‐glyme–TFSA− Complexes: Relationship with Physicochemical Properties of [Li(glyme)][TFSA] Ionic Liquids

The stabilization energies (ΔE_form) calculated for the formation of the Li⁺ complexes with mono‐, di‐ tri‐ and tetra‐glyme (G1, G2, G3 and G4) at the MP2/6‐311G** level were ?61.0, ?79.5, ?95.6 and ?107.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The electrostatic and induction interactions are the major sources of the attraction in the complexes. Although the ΔE_form increases by the increase of the number of the O???Li contact, the ΔE_form per oxygen atom decreases. The negative charge on the oxygen atom that has contact with the Li⁺ weakens the attractive electrostatic and induction interactions of other oxygen atoms with the Li⁺. The binding energies calculated for the [Li(glyme)]⁺ complexes with TFSA^? anion (glyme=G1, G2, G3, and G4) were ?106.5, ?93.7, ?82.8, and ?70.0 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The binding energies for the complexes are significantly smaller than that for the Li⁺ with the TFSA^? anion. The binding energy decreases by the increase of the glyme chain length. The weak attraction between the [Li(glyme)]⁺ complex (glyme=G3 and G4) and TFSA^? anion is one of the causes of the fast diffusion of the [Li(glyme)]⁺ complex in the mixture of the glyme and the Li salt in spite of the large size of the [Li(glyme)]⁺ complex. The HOMO energy level of glyme in the [Li(glyme)]⁺ complex is significantly lower than that of isolated glyme, which shows that the interaction of the Li⁺ with the oxygen atoms of glyme increases the oxidative stability of the glyme.     

Formation of “Quasi” Contact or Solvent‐separated Ion Pairs in the Local Environment of Probe Molecules Dissolved in Ionic Liquids

The change from “quasi” contact to “quasi” solvent‐separated ion‐pair configuration in the local environment of a probe molecule in ionic liquids depends on the varying interaction strength of the chosen anions. The ion speciation in these Coulomb fluids could be shown by combining infrared spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, and natural bond orbital analysis using a low‐self‐clustering probe molecule.     

A Computational Study of [M(CF3)4]− (M = Cu,Ag, Au) and their Properties as Weakly Coordinating Anions

The properties of the tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)‐coinage metallates(III) [M(CF₃)₄]^? (M = Cu, Ag, Au) as W eakly C oordinating A nions (WCAs) have been investigated with quantum mechanical methods in order to quantitatively compare them to other, well‐known WCAs. Also, several new decomposition pathways have been studied. Overall the coinage metallates perform rather well and should be used more frequently in preparative chemistry.     

Fluorinated Weakly Coordinating Anions [M(hfip)6]– (M = Nb,Ta): Syntheses,Structural Characterizations and ­Computations

The synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterisation of a series of [M(hfip)₆]^– (M = Nb, Ta; hfip = O–C(H)(CF₃)₂) salts that are the typical starting materials to introduce these weakly coordinating anions by metathesis reactions into a given system is described. The salts Li[Nb(hfip)₆] and Li[Ta(hfip)₆] formed in 65 to 77 % yield from freshly sublimed MCl₅ and Li[hfip]. By contrast, several attempts to synthesize Li[Sb(hfip)₆] on the similar route (replace NbCl₅ by SbCl₅) failed to yield a pure product. Upon metathesis of the Li‐niobate with AgF in CH₂Cl₂, the pure Ag[Nb(hfip)₆] formed. Mixing Li[Nb(hfip)₆] with an equimolar amount of Cl–CPh₃ in CH₂Cl₂ gave the yellow [CPh₃][Nb(hfip)₆]. Several of the compounds were characterized by X‐ray analysis. Thus, the crystal structures of the Li⁺‐ and Ag⁺‐solvates 1, 2‐C₆H₄F₂{LiNb(hfip)₆}₂, [Li(H₂O)][Ta(hfip)₆], and [Ag(C₆H₅F)][Nb(hfip)₆] as well as that of [CPh₃][Nb(hfip)₆] were solved and are described in this work.     

(1‐Butyl‐4‐methyl‐pyridinium)[Cu(SCN)2]: A Coordination Polymer and Ionic Liquid

The compound (C₄C₁py)[Cu(SCN)₂], (C₄C₁py=1‐Butyl‐4‐methyl‐pyridinium), which can be obtained from CuSCN and the ionic liquid (C₄C₁py)(SCN), turns out to be a new organic–inorganic hybrid material as it qualifies both, as a coordination polymer and an ionic liquid. It features linked [Cu(SCN)₂]^? units, in which the thiocyanates bridge the copper ions in a μ_1,3‐fashion. The resulting one‐dimensional chains run along the a axis, separated by the C₄C₁py counterions. Powder X‐ray diffraction not only confirms the single‐crystal X‐ray structure solution but proves the reformation of the coordination polymer from an isotropic melt. However, the materials shows a complex thermal behavior often encountered for ionic liquids such as a strong tendency to form a supercooled melt. At a relatively high cooling rate, glass formation is observed. When heating this melt in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature‐dependent polarizing optical microscopy (POM), investigations reveal the existence of a less thermodynamically stable crystalline polymorph. Raman measurements conducted at 10 and 100 °C point towards the formation of polyanionic chain fragments in the melt. Solid‐state UV/Vis spectroscopy shows a broad absorption band around 18 870 cm^?1 (530 nm) and another strong one below 20 000 cm^?1 (<500 nm). The latter is attributed to the d(Cu^I)→π*(SCN)‐MLCT (metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer) transition within the coordination polymer yielding an energy gap of 2.4 eV. At room temperature and upon irradiation with UV light, the material shows a weak fluorescence band at 15 870 cm^?1 (630 nm) with a quantum efficiency of 0.90(2) % and a lifetime of 131(2) ns. Upon lowering the temperature, the luminescence intensity strongly increases. Simultaneously, the band around 450 nm in the excitation spectrum decreases.