Effect of alkyl chain length and temperature on the thermodynamic properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions at different temperatures

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Rmim][Br], R = propyl (C₃), hexyl (C₆), heptyl (C₇), and octyl (C₈)) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and experimental measurements of density and speed of sound at different temperatures ranging from (288.15 to 308.15) K for their aqueous and methanolic solutions in the dilute concentration region (0.01 to 0.30) mol · kg^?1 were taken. The values of the compressibilities, expansivity and apparent molar properties for [C_nmim][Br] in aqueous and methanolic solutions were determined at the investigated temperatures. The obtained apparent molar volumes and apparent molar isentropic compressibilities were fitted to the Redlich–Mayer and the Pitzer’s equations from which the corresponding infinite dilution molar properties were obtained. The values of the infinite dilution molar properties were used to obtain some information about solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The thermodynamic properties of investigated ionic liquids in aqueous solutions have been compared with those in methanolic solutions. Also, the comparison between thermodynamic properties of investigated solutions and those of electrolyte solutions, polymer solutions, cationic surfactant solutions and tetraalkylammonium salt solutions have been made.     

Thermodynamic properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids

Heat capacities and enthalpies of phase transitions for a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids have been measured by adiabatic calorimetry. Thermodynamic properties of the compounds were calculated in the temperature range of (5 to 370) K. Water was found to have an additive contribution to the heat capacities of [C₄mim]Br in the liquid state above T_fus and in the solid state below 160 K at w(H₂O) ⩽ 5 · 10⁻³.     

Effects of alkyl chain length on properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid crystals

A series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate salts (C_xMIm(FH)₂F, x=8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18) have been characterized by thermal analysis, polarized optical microscopy, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and anisotropic ionic conductivity measurements. Liquid crystalline mesophases with a smectic A interdigitated bilayer structure are observed from C₁₀ to C₁₈, showing a fan‐like or focal conic texture. The temperature range of the mesophase increases with the increase in the alkyl chain length (from 10.1 °C for C₁₀MIm(FH)₂F to 123.1 °C for C₁₈MIm(FH)₂F). The distance between the two layers in the smectic structure gradually increases with increasing alkyl chain length and decreases with increasing temperature. Conductivity parallel to the smectic layers is around 10 mS cm^?1 regardless of the alkyl chain length, whereas that perpendicular to the smectic layers decreases with increasing alkyl chain length because of the thicker insulating sheet with the longer alkyl chain.     

Estimation of physicochemical properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate

The density and surface tension of ionic liquids [C(2)mim][AlCl(4)] (1-ethlyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloroaluminate) and [C(6)mim][AlCl(4)] (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate) were measured in the temperature range from 283.15 to 338.15 +/- 0.05 K. In terms of these experimental results, the estimation of physicochemical properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate ([C(n)mim][AlCl(4)], n = 1-6) was carried out. With the use of the parachor, the values of surface tension of the ILs were predicted. In terms of Glasser's theory, the standard molar entropy, lattice energy, and surface properties of the ILs were estimated. With the use of Kabo's method and Rebelo's method, the molar enthalpy of vaporization of the ILs, Delta(l)(g)H(m)(0), was predicted. According to the interstice model, the values of the thermal expansion coefficient of the ILs were also estimated. Since the magnitude order of the thermal expansion coefficient estimated by the model is in good agreement with that measured experimentally, this result means that the interstice model is reasonable.     

Effect of pressure on the transport properties of ionic liquids: 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts

The self-diffusion coefficients (D) of the cation and anion in the ionic liquids 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphates ([HMIM]PF6 and [OMIM]PF6) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates ([BMIM]BF4) and ([OMIM]BF4) have been determined together with the electrical conductivities (kappa) of [HMIM]PF6 and [BMIM]BF4 under high pressure. The pressure effect on the transport coefficients is discussed in terms of velocity cross-correlation coefficients (VCCs or fij), the Nernst-Einstein equation (ionic diffusivity-conductivity), and the fractional form of the Stokes-Einstein relation (viscosity-conductivity and viscosity-diffusivity). The (mass-fixed frame of reference) VCCs for the cation-cation, anion-anion, and cation-anion pairs are all negative and strongly pressure dependent, increasing (becoming less negative) with increasing pressure. VCCs are the more positive for the stronger ion-velocity correlations; therefore, f+ - is least negative in each case. In general, f- - is less negative than f+ +, indicating a smaller correlation of velocities of distinct cations than that for distinct anions. However, for [OMIM]PF6, the like-ion fii are very similar to one another. Plots of the VCCs for a given ion-ion correlation against fluidity (reciprocal viscosity) show the fij to be strongly correlated with the viscosity as either temperature or pressure are varied, that is, fij approximately fij(eta). The Nernst-Einstein deviation parameter, Delta, is nearly constant for each salt under the conditions examined. It is emphasized that nonzero values of Delta are not necessarily due to ion pairing but result from differences between the like-ion and unlike-ion VCCs, because Delta is proportional to (f+ + + f- - - 2 f+ -). The diffusion and molar conductivity (Lambda) data are found to fit fractional forms of the Stokes-Einstein relationship, (LambdaT) proportional, variant (T/eta)(t) and Di proportional, variant (T/eta)(t), with t=(0.90+/-0.05) for all these ionic liquids, independent of both temperature and pressure within the ranges studied.     

Synthesis and micellar properties of surface-active ionic liquids: 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chlorides

A series of surface-active ionic liquids, RMeImCl, has been synthesized by the reaction of purified 1-methylimidazole and 1-chloroalkanes, RCl, R=C(10),C(12),C(14), and C(16), respectively. Adsorption and aggregation of these surfactants in water have been studied by surface tension measurement. Additionally, solution conductivity, electromotive force, fluorescence quenching of micelle-solubilized pyrene, and static light scattering have been employed to investigate micelle formation. The following changes resulted from an increase in the length of R: an increase of micelle aggregation number; a decrease of: minimum area/surfactant molecule at solution/air interface; critical micelle concentration, and degree of counter-ion dissociation. Theoretically-calculated aggregation numbers and those based on quenching of pyrene are in good agreement. Gibbs free energies of adsorption at solution/air interface, DeltaG(ads)(0), and micelle formation in water, DeltaG(mic)(0), were calculated, and compared to those of three surfactant series, alkylpyridinium chlorides, RPyCl, alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides, RBzMe(2)Cl, and benzyl(3-acylaminoethyl)dimethylammonium chlorides, R(')AEtBzMe(2)Cl, respectively. Contributions to the above-mentioned Gibbs free energies from surfactant methylene groups (in the hydrophobic tail) and the head-group were calculated. For RMeImCl, the former energy is similar to that of other cationic surfactants. The corresponding free energy contribution of the head-group to DeltaG(mic)(0) showed the following order: RPyCl approximately RBzMe(2)Cl>RMeImCl>R(')AEtBzMe(2)Cl. The head-groups of the first two surfactant series are more hydrophobic than the imidazolium ring of RMeImCl, this should favor their aggregation. Micellization of RMeImCl, however, is driven by a relatively strong hydrogen-bonding between the chloride ion and the hydrogens in the imidazolium ring, in particular the relatively acidic H2. This interaction more than compensates for the relative hydrophilic character of the diazolium ring. As indicated by the corresponding DeltaG(mic)(0), micellization of R(')AEtBzMe(2)Cl is more favorable than that of RMeImCl because the CONH group of the former surfactant series forms hydrogen bonds to both the counter-ion and the neighboring molecules in the micelle.     

Single particle dynamics in ionic liquids of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations

Ionic dynamics in room temperature molten salts (ionic liquids) containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations is investigated by molecular-dynamics simulations. Calculations were performed with united atom models, which were used in a previous detailed study of the equilibrium structure of ionic liquids [S. M. Urahata and M. C. C. Ribeiro, J. Chem. Phys. 120, 1855 (2004)]. The models were used in a systematic study of the dependency of several single particle time correlation functions on anion size (F-, Cl-, Br-, and PF6-) and alkyl chain length (1-methyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1-butyl-, and 1-octyl-). Despite of large mass and size of imidazolium cations, they exhibit larger mean-square displacement than anions. A further detailed picture of ionic motions is obtained by using appropriate projections of displacements along the plane or perpendicular to the plane of the imidazolium ring. A clear anisotropy in ionic displacement is revealed, the motion on the ring plane and almost perpendicular to the 1-alkyl chain being the less hindered one. Similar projections were performed on velocity correlation functions, whose spectra were used to relate short time ionic rattling with the corresponding long time diffusive regime. Time correlation functions of cation reorientation and dihedral angles of the alkyl chains are discussed, the latter decaying much faster than the former. A comparative physical picture of time scales for distinct dynamical processes in ionic liquids is provided.     

Influence of the alkyl group on thermophysical properties of carboxylic acids in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquid at various temperatures

In the present study, influence of the alkyl group and temperature on the interactions between the carboxylic acid and ionic liquid (IL) mixtures were discussed in term of density and sound velocity measurements. The IL used in this study was 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([BMIM]⁺[SCN]⁻). The density (ρ), and sound velocity (u), of the IL, acetic acid, propionic acid, and their corresponding binary systems {[BMIM]⁺[SCN]⁻ (x₁) + acetic or propionic acid (x₂)} have been measured at T = (293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15) K and at p = 0.1 MPa. The excess molar volumes, $V_{\text{m}}^{\text{E}}$, isentropic compressibility, κ_s, and deviation in isentropic compressibility, Δκ_s, were calculated using experimental density and sound velocity data, respectively. The Redlich–Kister polynomial equation was used to fit the excess/deviation properties. These results are useful for describing the intermolecular interactions that exist between the IL and carboxylic acid mixtures.     

Ionothermal syntheses of six three-dimensional zinc metal-organic frameworks with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids as solvents

We have performed ionothermal reactions between Zn(NO3)2 and H3BTC in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids with the alkyl group varying from ethyl to amyl. Six 3-D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), including two isomeric compounds [Zn3(BTC)2(H2O)2] x 2H2O (1 and 2) (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate acid), [EMI][Zn(BTC)] (3) (E = ethyl, MI = 3-methylimidazolium), [PMI][Zn(BTC)](4) (P = propyl), [BMI]2[Zn4(BTC)3(OH)(H2O)3] (5) (B = butyl), and [AMI][Zn2(BTC)(OH)Br] (6) (A = amyl), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomeric compounds, in which the coordination modes of Zn atoms and the BTC3- ligands are considerably different. Compounds 3-6 crystallize with the corresponding ionic liquid cations incorporated in the frameworks. Their crystal structures show various features including various coordination geometries of Zn2+ and various bridging modes of the BTC3- ligands. The incorporated cations appear to have strong interactions with the frameworks.     

Reaction mechanism of Cl2 and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids

Systems containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid and chlorine gas were investigated. Using relativistic density functional theory, we calculated the formation mechanism of trichloride and hydrogen dichloride anions in an Emim(+)Cl(-) + Cl(2) system. Emim(+)Cl(3)(-) forms without energy barriers. The more stable species ClEmim(+)HCl(2)(-) forms through chlorine substitution. Substitution of a H on the imidazolium ring is much easier than substitution on the alkyl side chains. Infrared, Raman, ESI-MS, and (1)H NMR spectra were measured for EmimCl, BmimCl, and DmimCl with and without Cl(2) gas. The coexistence of Cl(3)(-) and HCl(2)(-), as well as chlorine-substituted cations, was confirmed by detection of their spectroscopic signals in the Cl(2) added ionic liquids. Cl substitution appears less serious for cations with longer side chains.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study on ionic liquids of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts

Chemical shifts of ¹H and ¹³C NMR of series of methylimidazolium salts (MIM⁺, X=Br⁻, BF₄⁻ and PF₆⁻) function on the length of alkyl groups on the ring, type of solvents and the concentration. The bromides series demonstrate more chemical shift variation on H2 upon the change of solvents and concentration. Unexpected H-D exchange reactions were also observed in the MIM⁺Br⁻ by using CD₃OD and D₂O. The exchange rates strongly depend on the length of the alkyl group, which could cause more steric factor to reduce the interaction between deuterium atom from solvent and C2 of the ring.     

Isothermogravimetric determination of the enthalpies of vaporization of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids

Vaporization enthalpies for two series of ionic liquids (ILs) composed of 1- n-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations, [Imm1+] (m=2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10), paired with either the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, [Tf2N-], or the bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)amide anion, [beti-], were determined using a simple, convenient, and highly reproducible thermogravimetric approach, and from these values, Hildebrand solubility parameters were estimated. Our results reveal two interesting and unanticipated outcomes: (i) methylation at the C2 position of [Imm1+] affords a significantly higher vaporization enthalpy; (ii) in all cases, the [beti-] anion served to lower the enthalpy of vaporization relative to [Tf2N-]. The widespread availability of the apparatus required for these measurements coupled with the ease of automation suggests the broad potential of this methodology for determining this critical parameter in a multitude of ILs.     

Chemical potentials in aqueous solutions of some ionic liquids with the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cation

We determined the vapor pressures of aqueous solutions of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C 2mim])-based ionic liquids (IL) with counteranions, tetrafluoroborate (BF 4 (-)), trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTF (-)), and iodide (I (-)). Because in literature the evidence is accumulating and pointing to the fact that ionic liquid ions do not dissociate in aqueous media for the most of the concentration range, we analyzed the vapor pressure data on the basis of binary mixture, and the excess chemical potentials of each component were calculated. From these, the intermolecular interactions in terms of excess chemical potential and hence the concentration fluctuations were evaluated. Though any further discussion into the mixing schemes of the mixture awaits the excess partial molar enthalpy and hence the excess partial molar entropy data, the net interaction in terms of excess chemical potential indicates that the affinity of each IL is ranked in the descending order [C 2mim]I > [C 2mim]OTF > [C 2mim]BF 4. This is consistent with our earlier findings that [C 2mim] (+) is modestly amphiphilic with almost equal hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, I (-) is a hydrophile, and OTF (-) is amphiphilic, and BF 4 (-) is believed to be strongly hydrophobic.     

Thermophysical properties of aqueous solutions of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ionic liquid

Thermophysical behavior of the binary system [water + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ionic liquid (IL)] was thoroughly characterized through systematic measurements of (vapor + liquid) equilibria (water activity a_w), mixing enthalpy, density, viscosity, and refractive index. The measurements were performed in the entire composition range and/or specifically in the highly dilute IL region, at T = 298.15 K or as a function of temperature in the range from (288.15 to 318.15) K. Effective experimental methods minimizing IL sample consumption, using flow arrangements, instrument couplings and high degree of automation were preferably employed. In particular, the a_w determination based on the chilled-mirror dew point technique and implemented by an AquaLab 4TE instrument was identified as a generally superior approach to study VLE of (water + IL) systems. Excess thermodynamic properties (Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, heat capacity, and volume) and property deviations from the linear mixing rule (viscosity, refractive index) were evaluated, Padé approximants being used to correlate adequately their complex composition dependences. The extensive a_w data were processed by a two-step procedure fitting first the temperature dependence at each isopleth and subsequently the composition dependence at each isotherm. Good estimates could be thus obtained for derivative thermal properties (enthalpy, heat capacity). Alternatively, the water activity and excess enthalpy data were correlated simultaneously by a NRTL-type model, providing their compact, thermodynamically consistent and adequate representation. Despite small absolute values of excess Gibbs free energy (G^E), the system is revealed to be highly nonideal, the small G^E resulting from close compensation of its large enthalpy and entropy contributions. Large endothermic effects and an enhanced increase of entropy upon mixing found for this system indicate relative weakness of interactions between unlike molecules and a massive structure breakage in the solution. Positive values of excess volume and negative values of viscosity and refractive index deviations found in the major part of the composition range corroborate this general energetic and structural pattern, although the situation appears to be more complicated in the highly dilute IL region, where these properties congruently exhibit a sign inversion.     

Estimation of viscosities of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids over a range of temperatures using a simple correlation

In this study, a new correlation is proposed for estimating 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquid (IL) viscosities at different temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Since ILs are rather novel, many of their physical properties are still unavailable. Because of this limitation, the aim of this work was to propose a correlation with a new insight and approach, which requires a minimum number of physical properties as input parameters. In addition to minimal dependency on physical properties, further goals in the development of the model were generality, ease-of-use, simplicity and high accuracy. A total of 2073 literature viscosity datapoints at different temperatures for 38 different ILs were used and a correlation was developed which satisfied the above-mentioned goals. The IL viscosity models of Lazzús and Pulgar-Villarroel, and Gardas and Coutinho were compared to the proposed correlation. More reliable results were obtained by the proposed relation in comparison to literature models.     

Low-temperature heat capacities of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ionic liquids and the influence of anion structural characteristics on thermodynamic properties

Two chelated orthoborate ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ([Bmim][BOB]) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ([Hmim][BOB]), were prepared and characterized. Their thermodynamic properties were studied using adiabatic calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermodynamic properties of the two ILs were evaluated and compared with each other, and then with those of other [Bmim] type ILs. The results clearly indicate that for a given cation (or anion) and at a certain temperature, the more atoms in the anion (or cation), the higher the heat capacity; the higher glass-transition temperatures of [BOB] type ILs than others are mainly caused by the higher symmetry of the orthoborate anion structure. It is suggested that a high content of strong electronegative atoms and C(n) or C(nv) (n = 1,2,3,…,∞) point group symmetry in the anion are favorable for the design and synthesis of room temperature ILs with a wide liquid range.     

Structure and conformation properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium halide ionic liquids: a density-functional theory study

The structures and conformational properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium halide ionic liquids have been studied with a Becke's 3 Parameter functional method. The interaction mechanisms between the cation and the anion in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (Emim+) halide and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (Bmim+) halide ionic liquids were investigated using 6-31G*, 6-31++G**, and 6-311++G** basis sets. Forty structures of different ion pairs were optimized and geometrical parameters of them have been discussed in details. Halide ions (Cl- or Br-) have been gradually placed in different regions around imidazolium cation and the interaction energies between the anion and the cation have been calculated. Theoretical results indicate that there are four activity regions in the vicinity of the imidazolium cations, in these regions the imidazolium cations and the halide anions formed stable ion pairs. Imidazolium cations can form hydrogen bond interactions with one, two or three but no more than three nearest halide anions. The halide ions are situated in hydrogen bond positions rather than at random.     

Buoyancy density measurements for 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate anion

Density measurements are reported performed on three 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ([C_n-mim], n=2,4,6$n=2\text{,}4\text{,}6$) ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate anion at atmospheric pressure at 15 temperatures from 281 to 353 K. The buoyancy method was employed, using the microbalance of the Krüss K100MK2 tensiometer. At each temperature from 33 to 55 individual buoyancy readings were taken in most cases. The density average values at particular temperatures are presented with estimated total standard uncertainty less than ±0.4$\pm 0.4$ kg m⁻³ (3.3 ×10⁻⁴?$\times 10^{-4}?$). An empirical density–temperature equations have been developed describing the temperature dependence of each ionic liquid density. The 58 new experimental data points on the density–temperature relation of the three ionic liquids of interest are means calculated from about 3000 individual density readings, which have been altogether taken in the present study.     

Physical properties of ionic liquids based on 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and hexafluorophosphate as anion and temperature dependence

Densities ρ, speeds of sound u, and refractive indices n_D were measured from T = (278.15 to 343.15) K. Dynamic viscosities η were measured from T = (293.15 to 323.15) K. Surface tensions σ were determined from T = (288.15 to 313.15) K. The physical properties data were measured at atmospheric pressure. The coefficients of thermal expansion α_p of the ionic liquids were calculated from the experimental values of the density at several temperatures. The Parachor method was used to predict the densities, the refractive indices, and the surface tensions of the ionic liquids, and a comparison between experimental and predictive values was made at T = 298.15 K.