New Method for Synthesis of Methacrylate-Type Polymerizable Ionic Liquids

A new method for the synthesis of polymerizable ionic liquids bearing a methacrylate moiety was developed with the aim to avoid premature polymerization of synthesized compounds. Spacer length between the imidazolium cation and the polymerizable functional group varied from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Different 1-(n-hydroxyalkyl)-3-methylimidazolium bromides and 1-[n-(methacryloyloxy)-alkyl]-3-methylimidazolium bromides were obtained with very good yields (more than 90%).

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® for the following free supplemental resource: Full experimental and spectral details.]     

Self‐Assembly of Imidazolium‐Based Surfactants in Magnetic Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids: Binary Mixtures

The phase behaviour of binary mixtures of ionic surfactants (1‐alkyl‐3‐imidazolium chloride, C_nmimCl with n=14, 16 and 18) and imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate, C_nmimFeCl₄, with n=2 and 4) over a broad temperature range and the complete range of compositions is described. By using many complementary methods including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised microscopy, small‐angle neutron and X‐ray scattering (SANS/SAXS), and surface tension, the ability of this model system to support self‐assembly is described quantitatively and this behaviour is compared with common water systems. The existence of micelles swollen by the solvent can be deduced from SANS experiments and represent a possible model for aggregates, which has barely been considered for ionic‐liquid systems until now, and can be ascribed to the rather low solvophobicity of the surfactants. Our investigation shows that, in general, C_nmimCl is a rather weak amphiphile in these ionic liquids. The amphiphilic strength increases systematically with the length of the alkyl chain, as seen from the phase behaviour, the critical micelle concentration, and also the level of definition of the aggregates formed.     

Chloride‐Free Method to Synthesise New Ionic Liquids with Mixed Borate Anions

Chloride avoided! A new chloride‐free method to synthesise ionic liquids (ILs) with mixed borate anions, starting from tetrafluoroborate compounds, has been developed and a number of examples including some new ILs are presented (see scheme; [CAT]⁺=cation). It is widely applicable and allows access to mixed borates with various types of ligands in a straightforward manner.

     

Recombination of Photogenerated Lophyl Radicals in Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Laser flash photolysis is applied to study the recombination reaction of lophyl radicals in ionic liquids in comparison with dimethylsulfoxide as an example of a traditional organic solvent. The latter exhibits a similar micropolarity as the ionic liquids. The ionic liquids investigated are 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ( 1 ), 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ( 2 ), and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetafluoroborate ( 3 ). The recombination of the photolytic generated lophyl radicals occur significantly faster in the ionic liquids than expected from their macroscopic viscosities and is a specific effect of these ionic liquids. On the other hand, this reaction can be compared with the macroscopic viscosity in the case of dimethylsulfoxide. Activation parameters obtained for lophyl radical recombination suggest different, anion‐dependent mechanistic effects. Quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory provide a deeper insight of the molecular properties of the lophyl radical and its precursor. Thus, excitation energies, spin densities, molar volumes, and partial charges are calculated. Calculations show a spread of spin density over the three carbon atoms of the imidazolyl moiety, while only low spin density is calculated for the nitrogens.     

NMR Investigation of Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids and Their Aqueous Mixtures

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy is employed to investigate the interaction of water with two imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs), 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([C₆mim]Br) and 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([C₈mim]Br), at IL concentrations well above the critical aggregation concentration (CAC). The results are compared with those of the neat samples. To this aim, a detailed analysis of the changes in the ¹H chemical shifts, ¹³C relaxation parameters, and 2D ROESY data due to the presence of water is performed. The results for both neat ILs are consistent with a packed structure where head‐to‐head, head‐to‐tail, and tail‐to‐tail contacts occur and where the site of maximal mobility restriction is at the polar head. At the lowest investigated water content, the presence of water influences mainly the environment around the IL polar head, slowing down the motional dynamics of the aromatic ring with respect to the alkyl chain. At higher water contents this difference diminishes, the motional freedom of the whole molecule increasing. The presence of ROESY cross‐peaks between protons in the polar and apolar IL regions, as well as between protons in non‐neighboring alkyl groups, at all investigated water contents suggests that the alkyl tails are not fully segregated in hydrophobic domains, as expected for micelle‐like structures.     

Preparation of Ionic Liquid‐based Vilsmier Reagent from Novel Multi‐purpose Dimethyl Formamide‐like Ionic Liquid and Its Application

In continuation of research to explore the applied potential of DMF‐like ionic liquid, the ionic liquid version of N,N‐dimethyliminiumchloride (Vilsmier reagent) has been synthesized from DMF‐like ionic liquid and tested effectively for its capacity to achieve more useful organic transformations. The results show that DMF‐like ionic liquid is world's first task specific ionic liquid which has catalyzed numerous diverse type of reaction and is multipurpose in its application. Thus a new term for this DMF‐like ionic liquid has been coined that is DMF‐like "multipurpose" ionic liquid.     

On the Dynamic Interaction of n‐Butane with Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

The impact of a reactant from the gas phase on the surface of a liquid and its transfer through this gas/liquid interface are crucial for various concepts applying ionic liquids (ILs) in catalysis. We investigated the first step of the adsorption dynamics of n‐butane on a series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ILs ([C_nC₁Im][Tf₂N]; n=1, 2, 3, 8). Using a supersonic molecular beam in ultra‐high vacuum, the trapping of n‐butane on the frozen ILs was determined as a function of surface temperature, between 90 and 125 K. On the C₈‐ and C₃‐ILs, n‐butane adsorbs at 90 K with an initial trapping probability of ≈0.89. The adsorption energy increases with increasing length of the IL alkyl chain, whereas the ionic headgroups seem to interact only weakly with n‐butane. The absence of adsorption on the C₁‐ and C₂‐ILs is attributed to a too short residence time on the IL surface to form nuclei for condensation even at 90 K.     

An Effective Approach for the Silylation of Hydroxyl Compounds in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

Abstract

The room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF₆) is used as a “green” recyclable alternative to conventional solvents for the silylation of a series of hydroxyl compounds (alcohols and phenols) with t-butyldimethylchlorosilane (TBDMCS), which has some advantages such as simplicity of the synthetic procedure, the potential for recycling of the ionic liquid and the environmentally benign.     

Radiation‐Grafted Fluoropolymers Soaked with Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids for High‐Performance Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Actuators

On purpose to develop a polymer actuator with high stability in air‐operation as well as large bending displacement, a series of ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMC) was constructed with poly(styrene sulfonate)‐grafted fluoropolymers as ionomeric matrix and immidazolium‐based ionic liquids (IL) as inner solvent. The prepared IPMC actuators exhibited greatly enhanced bending displacement compared to Nafion‐based actuators. The actuators were stable in air‐operation, maintaining initial displacement for up to 10⁴ cycles or 24 h. Investigating the material parameters and morphology of the IPMCs, high ion exchange capacity of the ionomers resulted in high ion conductivity and robust electrode of IPMC, which synergistically contributed to the high bending performance.

     

Polyoxometalate Ionic Liquids as Self‐Repairing Acid‐Resistant Corrosion Protection

Corrosion is a global problem for any metallic structure or material. Herein we show how metals can easily be protected against acid corrosion using hydrophobic polyoxometalate‐based ionic liquids (POM‐ILs). Copper metal disks were coated with room‐temperature POM‐ILs composed of transition‐metal functionalized Keggin anions [SiW₁₁O₃₉TM(H₂O)]^n? (TM=Cu^II, Fe^III) and quaternary alkylammonium cations (C_nH_{2 n+1})₄N⁺ (n=7–8). The corrosion resistance against acetic acid vapors and simulated “acid rain” was significantly improved compared with commercial ionic liquids or solid polyoxometalate coatings. Mechanical damage to the POM‐IL coating is self‐repaired in less than one minute with full retention of the acid protection properties. The coating can easily be removed and recovered by rinsing with organic solvents.     

X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Pyridinium‐Based Ionic Liquids: Comparison to Imidazolium‐ and Pyrrolidinium‐Based Analogues

We investigate eight 1‐alkylpyridinium‐based ionic liquids of the form [C_nPy][A] by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electronic environment of each element of the ionic liquids is analyzed. In particular, a reliable fitting model is developed for the C 1s region that applies to each of the ionic liquids. This model allows the accurate charge correction of binding energies and the determination of reliable and reproducible binding energies for each ionic liquid. Shake‐up/off phenomena are determinedfor both C 1s and N 1s spectra. The electronic interaction between cations and anions is investigated for both simple ionic liquids and an example of an ionic‐liquid mixture; the effect of the anion on the electronic environment of the cation is also explored. Throughout the study, a detailed comparison is made between [C₈Py][A] and analogues including 1‐octyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium‐ ([C₈C₁Pyrr][A]), and 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐ ([C₈C₁Im][A]) based samples, where X is common to all ionic liquids.     

室温离子液体电化学稳定性的研究

随着绿色化学的发展,人们对室温离子液体(RTIL)的研究已日益备受重视,较早发现的如由二烷基咪唑正离子(EMI^ )和氯化铝负配离子(A1Cl4^-)组成的离子液体(氯化铝类离子液体),具有许多优良的物理化学性质,如电导率高,在高温下仍有很低的蒸汽压,电化学稳定性好(即有宽阔的电化学窗口),     

Temperature Effects on the Capacitance of an Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquid on a Graphite Electrode: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Temperature‐dependent electric double layer (EDL) and differential capacitance–potential (C_d–U) curves of the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM⁺/PF₆^?) were studied on a graphite electrode by molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that all C_d–U curves were asymmetric camel‐shaped with higher C_d at negative polarization, attributed to the specific adsorption of BMIM⁺. In addition, the maxima of C_d at the negative polarization decrease monotonically with temperature due to the thicker EDL, whereas at the positive polarization they gradually increase from 450 to 550 K and decrease at 600 K. Such temperature effects at positive polarization may be understood in terms of the competition between two aspects: the weakening specific adsorption of BMIM⁺ allows more effective screening to the positive charge and overall increasing EDL thickness. Although the former dominates from 450 to 550 K, the latter becomes dominant at 600 K.     

Applying the Inductive Effect for Synthesizing Low‐Melting and Low‐Viscosity Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Fluidizing ionic liquids: By applying the inductive effect, a synthesis strategy to introduce strong, directional and localized H‐bonds into imidazolium‐based ionic liquids is proposed. In opposite to H‐bonded molecular liquids these strong H‐bonds could reduce the melting points and decrease the viscosities of the ILs (see figure).

     

Polarity Behaviour and Specific Interactions of Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids in Ethylene Glycol

The molecular interactions of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₄mim][BF₄], 3‐methyl‐1‐octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₈mim][BF₄] and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium octylsulfate [C₄mim][C₈OSO₃] are investigated in ethylene glycol (EG) over the whole mole fraction range using fluorescence (steady‐state and time‐resolved), Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The cybotactic region surrounding the pyrene fluorescent probe exhibits peculiar characteristics for different ILs in the EG‐rich region. The extent of solute–solvent interactions is assessed by determining the deviations of experimentally observed vibronic band intensity ratios of peak 1 to peak 3 of pyrene fluorescence (I₁/I₃) from a composite I₁/I₃ value obtained using a preferential solvation model. A distinct vibrational frequency shift for various stretching modes of EG (O? H) or ILs (C? H of ring protons, B? F and S?O of anions) indicates specific interactional preferences of EG toward the IL protons/anion. Splitting of the O? H vibration band of EG at 3000–3700 cm^?1 into three separate bands, and analysis of the changes in location and area of these bands as a function of concentration enable precise determination of the effect of ILs on hydrogen bridges of EG. NMR chemical shifts and their deviations from ideality show multiple hydrogen‐bonding interactions of varying strengths between unlike molecules in the mixtures. A comparison of spectroscopic results with thermodynamic properties shows that the mixing microscopic behaviour of the investigated systems is completely different from the macroscopic behaviour, which is primarily governed by the difference in shape, size and nature of the molecules.     

Amperometric Sniffer for Volatile Amines Based on Paper‐Supported Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Enabling Rapid Assessment of Fish Spoilage

A gas sensors based on a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) supported on paper is proposed as amperometric sniffer for monitoring volatile amines (VAs) released from fish samples, in order to gain indication of their state of turning spoiled. It was used as a paper electrochemical detector (PED) for a flow injection system in which controlled headspace volumes in equilibrium with ice‐stored fish samples were directly injected. The performance of this RTIL‐PED sensor was preliminarily tested on synthetic samples of trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA), methylamine (MA) and ammonia (i.e. the main species responsible for the typical flavor of spoiled fish), thus verifying that only TMA, DMA and MA can be detected because NH₃ oxidation occurred beyond the solvent discharge. This notwithstanding, detection of the sole TMA, DMA and MA as a whole turned out to be well suited for the rapid assessment of fish spoilage, since during storage the release enhancement for these amines is largely predominant over that of NH₃. Repeatable (8 % RSD) sharp peaks were detected for all amines above over a wide range (5–1000 nmol) and a detection limit of a little more than 3 nmol was inferred for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. This approach was applied to the detection of VAs released from real fish samples (sardines), in parallel to the determination of their total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), which is a conventional indicator frequently adopted for the chemical quality assessment of fish. A substantially satisfactory agreement was found by comparing the data achieved by these two approaches.     

Synthesis of Porous Polyurea with Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids via Interfacial Polymerization

Summary: Polyurea with exotic porous structures has been synthesized by the interfacial polymerization between hexane and a series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs). Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the polyurea show a macroporous morphology of aggregated polymer particles with sizes around 200 nm and pore sizes between 100 to 500 nm. The geometry of the polymer particles and the pore size vary with the ILs employed. X‐Ray diffraction shows ionic‐liquid‐induced suppression of 3D crystalline order in the polyurea products. The microstructures of the polymer together with the FT‐IR results suggest that the observed exotic polymer morphology originates from interactions between the ionic liquid and the polymer.

SEM micrograph of the interconnected macroporous structure of the polyurea formed in [C₂mim][BF₄] ionic liquid. The scale bar is 100 nm.