Surfactant properties of ionic liquids containing short alkyl chain imidazolium cations and ibuprofenate anions

Interfacial tension, electrical conductivity, NMR self-diffusion and DLS experiments have been used to investigate the self-aggregation in water of ionic liquids associating an ibuprofenate anion and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium [C(n)MIm](+) (n = 4, 6, 8) cations. Despite the short alkyl chain on imidazolium cations (n ≤ 8), these ionic liquids exhibit particularly low Critical Aggregation Concentrations (CAC), significantly lower than their parent 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride salts. This behaviour is attributed to the formation of catanionic pairs between ibuprofenate and imidazolium.     

Non-classical diffusion in ionic liquids

In this study the diffusion coefficient of neutral and cationic ferrocenyl-derivatives have been characterised in a range of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids of the general form [C(n)C(1)Im](+)[X](-). The electrochemistry of ferrocene, 1-ferrocenylmethylimidazole (FcC(1)Im), 1-ferrocenylmethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([FcC(1)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N]) and N,N,N,N-trimethylferrocenyl-methylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([FcC(1)NMe(3)][Tf(2)N]), in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C(2)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N]) was investigated. It was shown that the diffusion coefficients of each were not significantly affected by the presence and location of a positive charge on the ferrocenyl-derivative, suggesting that coulombic solvent-solute interactions did not hinder motion of these species in ionic liquids. The diffusion coefficients for [FcC(1)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N] in five [C(n)C(1)Im][X] ionic liquids were determined as a function of temperature and the data shown to disobey the Stokes-Einstein equation. This observation is consistent with the fact that ionic liquids are glass formers, systems in which non-Stokesian behaviour is well documented. Measured diffusion coefficient data was used to determine correlation length in the ionic liquid and was found to correlate with the average size of holes, or voids, within the ionic liquid. This interpretation suggests that a model by which a migrating species can jump between voids or holes within the liquid is highly appropriate and is consistent with the observed behaviour measured across a range of temperatures.     

Efficient esterification of carboxylic acids with alkyl halides catalyzed by fluoride ions in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids based on 1,3-dialkylimidazolinium methanesulfonate have been used as efficient reusable reaction media in the esterification of several carboxylic acids with alkyl halides catalyzed by fluoride ions. The method has wide applicability, and it is mild and green; it is useful for the protection of acids, via ester formation, for alkali labile molecules.     

Esterification of carboxylate-based ionic liquids with alkyl halides

A facile reaction of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIm]Ac) with dichloromethane at room temperature was observed with esters among the products. This esterification can be exploited for mild solvent-free esterification with a range of other carboxylate-based ionic liquids and alkyl halides.     

Imidazolium ionic liquids with short polyoxyethylene chains

It has been observed by us earlier that imidazolium ionic liquids ([bmim][BF₄] react with paraformaldehyde giving in nearly quantitative yield imidazolium ionic liquids substituted at 2‐position with hydroxymethyl group ([bhmim][BF₄]). In this article, we describe the application of those ionic liquids (after converting hydroxyl group into alkoxide anion by reaction with sodium hydride) as initiators for anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO). Up to DP_n ～ 30 polymerization proceeds without side reactions, and the product is exclusively low‐molecular‐weight polyoxyethylene containing imidazolium head group (POE‐IL) with DP_n equal to [EO]/[bhmim] ratio. By increasing [EO]/[bhmim] ratio further, side reaction start to interfere, and macromolecules that does not contain imidazolium head groups are also formed, as evidenced by analysis of MALDI TOF spectra. Blending of POE‐IL with high‐molecular‐weight POE leads to significant reduction of crystallinity of POE. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6961–6968, 2008     

Alkyl vs. alkoxy chains on ionic liquid cations

The crystal structures and thermal behavior of the 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride and hexa-fluorophosphate salts are compared with the analogous 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium salts to examine the influence of the ether oxygen on salt thermal properties for a typical constituent cation used in the preparation of ionic liquids.     

1,2,4-Triazole-based tunable aryl/alkyl ionic liquids

Ionic liquids based on aryl-/alkyl-substituted imidazolium salts constitute a new generation of ionic liquids with a high degree of flexibility. The new concept could now also be extended to aryl-/alkyl-substituted 1,2,4-triazolium salts. The two different phenyl-substituted 1H- and 4H-1,2,4-triazoles have been synthesized by a coupling reaction or a one-pot synthesis with diformylhydrazine, respectively. Reaction with alkyl bromides provided the 1,2,4-triazolium bromides, and an anion-exchange reaction led to the corresponding bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts with melting points well below 100 °C.     

Aggregation behavior of ionic liquids in aqueous solutions: effect of alkyl chain length, cations, and anions

Self aggregation of the ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C4mim][Cl], 3-methyl-1-octylimidazolium chloride [C8mim][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C4mim][BF4], N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium chloride [C4mpy][Cl], in aqueous solution has been investigated through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Aggregation properties were determined by application of mass action theory to the concentration dependence of 1H NMR chemical shifts. Aggregation properties showed fairly good agreement with the previously reported results obtained from small angle neutron scattering, conductivity, and surface tension measurements. A detailed analysis of chemical shifts of water and various protons in ILs has been employed to probe the aggregate structure. Fluorescence spectroscopy provided important information about the critical aggregation concentration (cac) and the microenvironment of the aggregates. We could also observe a break point quite consistent with that of 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy at cac from the concentration dependence of refractive index measurements. Standard free energies of aggregation DeltaGom of various ILs derived using the refractive index/concentration profiles were found comparable to those of classical ionic surfactants.     

Eutectic-based ionic liquids with metal-containing anions and cations

Eutectic mixtures of zinc chloride and donor molecules such as urea and acetamide are described and it is proposed that these constitute a new class of ionic liquids. FAB-MS analysis shows that the liquids are made up of metal-containing anions and cations in which the donor is coordinated to the cation. Data on the viscosity, conductivity, density, phase behaviour and surface tension are presented and these are shown to be significantly different to other related ionic liquids that incorporate quaternary ammonium salts. The conductivity and viscosity are comparable with other ionic liquids and the data fit well to the Hole theory model recently proposed.     

Electrochemically stable fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids based on quaternary phosphonium cations

Fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids of quaternary phosphonium cations, tri-n-butylmethylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₁) fluorohydrogenate, tetra-n-butylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₄) fluorohydrogenate, and tri-n-butyl-n-octylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₈) fluorohydrogenate, have been synthesized by the metatheses of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and the corresponding phosphonium chloride precursors. All the obtained salts have melting points below room-temperature with a vacuum-stable composition of P_444m(FH)_2.3F (m = 1, 4, and 8) and were characterized by density, conductivity, and viscosity measurements. Linear sweep voltammetry with a glassy carbon working electrode shows that the P_444m(FH)_2.3Fs have wide electrochemical windows exceeding 5.2 V. In particular, P₄₄₄₁(FH)_2.3F has an electrochemical window of 6.0 V, which is the widest among fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids reported to date. The thermal stability of these ionic liquids is also improved compared to the salts of N-heterocyclic ammonium cations.     

Bimolecular rate constants for diffusion in ionic liquids

The temperature dependence of the bimolecular rate constants for a diffusion controlled reaction involving neutral reactants have been directly determined in five commonly used ionic liquids over the temperature range 5-70 degrees C.     

Tail aggregation and domain diffusion in ionic liquids

An extended multiscale coarse-graining model for ionic liquids is used to investigate the liquid crystal-like phase in certain ionic liquids. The tail groups of the cations with a sufficient side-chain length are found to aggregate, forming spatially heterogeneous domains, due to the competition between the electrostatic interactions between the charged head groups and the anions and the collective short-range interactions between the neutral tail groups. With a sufficiently long alkyl chain at a low enough temperature, the tail domains remain relatively stable, despite the diffusion of individual ions in the liquid phase. With increasing temperature, the average tail domains begin to diffuse, while beyond a transition temperature, their average density has an almost uniform distribution, although the tail groups still form instantaneous domains.     

Cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers with alkyl or ionic side groups in ionic liquids

Controlled cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether was demonstrated to proceed in an ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, using a 1‐(isobutoxy)ethyl acetate/TiCl₄ initiating system, ethyl acetate as an added base, and 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylpyridine as a proton trap reagent. Judicious choices of metal halide catalysts, counteranions of ILs, and additives were essential for controlling the polymerization. The polymerization proceeded much faster in the IL than in CH₂Cl₂, indicating an increased population of ionic active species in the IL due to the high polarity. Polymers with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained in the IL with a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ( ) anion even in the absence of an added base, which suggested possible interactions of the counteranion of the IL with the growing carbocations. Moreover, the direct cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether with pendant imidazolium salts, 1‐(2‐vinyloxyethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, proceeded in a homogeneous state in 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. The solubilities of the obtained polymers were readily tuned by counteranion exchange. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1774–1784     

Effects of cations and anions of ionic liquids on the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose

Ionic liquids (ILs) with different cations and anions were used to study the effects on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) preparation. It was found that both aggregations of cations and hydrogen bonds of anions with fructose played important roles. Molecular dynamics simulations were also performed to explain the experimental results.     

Molecular ions of ionic liquids in the gas phase

Ionic liquids form neutral ion pairs (CA) upon evaporation. The softness of the gas-phase ionization of field ionization has been used to generate "molecular ions," CA(+*), of ionic liquids, most probably by neutralization of the anion. In detail, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-thiocyanate, [C(6)H(11)N(2)](+) [SCN](-), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-tricyanomethide, [C(8)H(15)N(2)](+) [C(4)N(3)](-), N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium-dicyanamide, [C(10)H(16)N](+) [C(2)N(3)](-), and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium-bis[(trifluormethyl)sulfonyl]amide, [C(9)H(20)N](+) [C(2)F(6)NO(4)S(2)](-) were used. The assignment as CA(+*) ions, which has been confirmed by accurate mass measurements and misassignments due to thermal decomposition of the ionic liquids, has been ruled out by field desorption and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the residues.     

Effect of cations in ionic liquids on the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S) battery is a promising choice for the next generation of high-energy rechargeable batteries, but its application is impeded by the high dissolution of the polysulfides in commonly used organic electrolyte. Room temperature ionic liquids(RTILs) have been considered as appealing candidates for the electrolytes in Li-S batteries. We investigated the effect of cations in RTILs on the electrochemical performance for Li-S batteries. Ex situ investigation of lithium anode for Li-S batteries indicates that during the discharge/charge process the RTIL with N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidine cations(P13) can effectively suppress the dissolution of the polysulfides, whereas the RTIL with 1-methyl-3-propyl imidazolium cation(PMIM) barely alleviates the shuttling problem. With 0.5 mol L-1 LiTFSI/P13 TFSI as the electrolyte of Li-S battery, the ketjen black/ sulfur cathode material exhibits high capacity and remarkable cycling stability, which promise the application of the P13-based RTILs in Li-S batteries.     

Rapid proton diffusion in hydroxyl functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids

There is considerable interest in using ionic liquids(ILs) as protic electrolytes. However, the reported proton transfer rate in ILs is quite slow. In this study, we report functionalizing imidazolium ILs with alcohol hydroxyls, aiming at constructing hydrogen bonding networks in the electrolyte, can stimulate fast proton hopping transfer. For demonstration, the diffusion of proton and Cl. in 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroboride(C_3OHmimBF_4) were studied using cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic method at 30 °C. The diffusion coefficient of proton is about one order of magnitude higher than that of Cl. in the same electrolyte, and about 5 times that of proton in the non-hydydroxyl 1-(butyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroboride(BmimBF_4) when normalized to the diffusion coefficients of Cl. in respective ILs. In the meantime, 1H NMR spectra revealed a strong hydrogen bonding interaction between proton and C_3OHmimBF_4 which is absent between proton and BmimBF_4, thus the significantly higher diffusion coefficient of proton in C_3OHmimBF_4 may suggest the formation of effective hydrogen bonding networks, enabling rapid proton hopping via the Grotthuss mechanism.     

New generation ionic liquids: cations derived from amino acids

Two families of a new generation of ionic liquids, in which the chiral cations are directly derived from naturally occurring alpha-amino acids and alpha-amino acid ester salts, have been obtained via very simple preparations.     

Communication: X-ray scattering from ionic liquids with pyrrolidinium cations

We report the structure functions obtained from x-ray scattering experiments on a series of four homologous ionic liquids. The ionic liquids are 1-alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cations paired with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion, with alkyl chain lengths of n = 4, 6, 8, and 10. The structure functions display two intense diffraction peaks for values of the scattering vector q in the range from 0.6 to 1.5 ?(-1) for all samples. Both diffraction peaks shift to lower values of q for increasing temperature. First sharp diffraction peaks are observed in the structure functions for q < 0.5 ?(-1) for liquids with n = 6, 8, and 10.