Lithium solvation and diffusion in the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ionic liquid

The Raman spectra of (1 − x)(BMITFSI), xLiTFSI ionic liquids, where 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation (BMI⁺) and bis(trifluoromethane‐sulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI⁻) are analyzed for LiTFSI mole fractions x < 0.4. As expected from previous studies on similar TFSI‐based systems, most lithium ions are shown to be coordinated within [Li(TFSI)₂]⁻ anionic clusters. The variation of the self‐diffusion coefficients of the ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ⁷Li nuclei, measured by pulsed‐gradient spin‐echo NMR (PGSE‐NMR) as a function of x, can be rationalized in terms of the weighted contribution of BMI⁺ cations, TFSI⁻ ‘free’ anions, and [Li(TFSI)₂]⁻ anionic clusters. This implies a negative transference number for lithium. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lithium solvation in a PMMA membrane plasticized by a lithium‐conducting ionic liquid based on 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide

The Raman and Infrared (IR) spectra of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membranes plasticized by ionic liquids of the (1 − x)[1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMITFSI)],xLiTFSI type, where BMI⁺ is the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation and TFSI⁻ the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, are analyzed for a lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone)imide (LiTFSI) mole fraction x = 0.23 and PMMA contents from 0 to 50 wt%. The lithium is found to have an average coordination of about three CO groups and less than one TFSI⁻ anion. It plays the role of a cross‐linker between the ester groups of PMMA and the nonvolatile ionic liquid. Addition of PMMA to the (1 − x)(BMITFSI),xLiTFSI ionic liquid lowers the conductivity but might improve the lithium transference number by transforming the [Li(TFSI)₂]⁻ anionic clusters present in the pure ionic liquid into a mixed coordination by ester groups and TFSI⁻ anions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermolecular interactions,ion solvation,and association in mixtures of 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and γ‐butyrolactone: insights from Raman spectroscopy

By means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and perturbation correlation moving window two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy intermolecular interactions were assessed in mixtures of ionic liquid (IL) 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF₆) with polar aprotic solvent γ‐butyrolactone (γ‐BL) over the entire range of compositions. The symmetrical P―F stretching vibration of the IL anion was found to be insensitive to the changes in mixture concentration in contrast to the CO stretching vibration of the γ‐BL and the imidazolium ring C―H stretching vibrations of the IL cation. Each of these vibrational profiles was decomposed in various spectral contributions, and their number was rationalized by the results of quantum‐chemical calculations and/or previous controversial published data. Progressive redshift of the ring C―H stretching wavenumbers was referred to pronounced solvation of the cation at the imidazolium ring site accompanied with H‐bond formation. This was especially pronounced at IL mole fraction less than 0.18. Complicated variations in the intensities of the individual contributions of the CO profile were treated as a manifestation of the changing with concentration pattern of the intermolecular interactions. The self‐association of γ‐BL molecules and distinct cation solvation as dominant intermolecular interactions at low IL content are replaced with weaker cation solvation and ion association at high concentrations of IL. Possible representative molecular structures were proposed on the basis of DFT calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of ionic liquids derived from 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and niobium chloride or zinc chloride mixtures

Anionic species formed in mixtures of 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMICl) with different amounts of niobium pentachloride (NbCl₅) or zinc dichloride (ZnCl₂) were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. In the BMICl and NbCl₅ ionic mixtures the presence of the anion NbCl₆⁻ was detected for all compositions (molar fraction, X) and a mixture of this anion and the neutral Nb₂Cl₁₀ in acid ones. Two different anions were observed for basic mixtures of BMICl and ZnCl₂: ZnCl₄²⁻(0 < X < 0.35) and Zn₂Cl₆²⁻(X > 0.3), whereas for acidic ones three species were detected: Zn₂Cl₆²⁻(X < 0.7), Zn₃Cl₈²⁻(X > 0.7) and Zn₄Cl₁₀²⁻(X > 0.7). It has also been observed that in both cases, the formation of larger anions causes a shift of the C H stretching modes to higher wavenumbers as the result of a decrease in the hydrogen bond between Cl and the hydrogens from the cation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1,3‐Bis(2′‐hydroxyethyl)imidazolium ionic liquids: correlating structure and properties with anion hydrogen bonding ability

A series of 1,3‐bis(2′‐hydroxyethyl)imidazolium ionic liquids is reported where ¹H NMR chemical shift values and thermal stabilities (T_d), as determined by thermogravimetric analysis, are correlated with the hydrogen bonding capability of various anions ([Cl^?], [Br^?], [CF₃CO₂^?], [NO₂^?], [MsO^?], [NO₃^?], [TfO^?], [BF₄^?], [NTf₂^?], and [PF₆^?]). Use of anions with the strongest hydrogen bonding capability, such as chloride [Cl^?], bromide [Br^?], and trifluoroacetate [CF₃CO₂^?], led to the furthest observed downfield chemical shift values in DMSO‐d₆ and the poorest thermal stabilities ([CF₃CO₂^?] < 200 °C). Thermal stabilities in excess of 350 °C and upfield chemical shift values were observed for ionic liquids, which employed the weakly coordinating triflate [OTf^?], tetrafluoroborate [BF₄^?], or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [NTf₂^?] anion. Optimized structures of selected ionic liquids, as determined by density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G + (d,p) level, indicated that the anion preferred to be located above the imidazolium ring and in close proximity to the hydroxyl groups. Calculated dissociation energies (ΔE) and a comparison of key bonding distances (C2―H, (C2)H···X, O―H, and (O)H···X) also confirmed this structural preference. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman and ab initio study of the conformational isomerism in the 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ionic liquid

The calculated and experimental Raman spectra of the (EMI⁺)TFSI⁻ ionic liquid, where EMI⁺ is the 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation and TFSI⁻ the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, have been investigated for a better understanding of the EMI⁺ and TFSI⁻ conformational isomerism as a function of temperature. Characteristic Raman lines of the planar (p) and non‐planar (np) EMI⁺ conformers are identified using the reference (EMI⁺)Br⁻ salt. The anion conformer of C₂ symmetry is confirmed to be more stable than the cis (C₁) one by 4.5 ± 0.2 kJ mol⁻¹. At room temperature, the population of trans (C₂) anions and np cations is 75 ± 2% and 87 ± 4%, respectively. Fast cooling quenches a metastable glassy phase composed of mainly C₂ anion conformers and p cation conformers, whereas slow cooling gives a crystalline phase composed of C₁ anion conformers and of np cation conformers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ionic liquid structure: the conformational isomerism in 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4])

As a probe of local structure, the vibrational properties of the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim][BF₄] ionic liquid were studied by infrared (IR), Raman spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations. The coexistence of at least four [bmim]⁺ conformers (GG, GA, TA, and AA) at room temperature was established through unique spectral responses. The Raman modes characteristic of the two most stable [bmim]⁺ conformers, GA and AA, according to the ab initio calculations, increase in intensity with decreasing temperature. To assess the total spectral behavior of the ionic liquid both the contributions of different [bmim]⁺ conformers and the [bmim]⁺− [BF₄]⁻ interactions to the vibrational spectra are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone in methanol: A TD‐DFT study

Excited‐state intermolecular or intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction has important potential applications in biological probes. In this paper, the effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer reaction of the 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone (MQ) dye in methanol solvent is investigated by the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory approaches. Both the primary structure parameters and infrared vibrational spectra analysis of MQ and its benzo‐analogue 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐benzo‐quinolone (MBQ) show that the intermolecular hydrogen bond O₁―H₂?O₃ significantly strengthens in the excited state, whereas another intermolecular hydrogen bond O₃―H₄?O₅ weakens slightly. Simulated electron absorption and fluorescence spectra are agreement with the experimental data. The noncovalent interaction analysis displays that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of MQ are obviously stronger than that of MBQ. Additionally, the energy profile analysis via the proton transfer reaction pathway illustrates that the ESIPT reaction of MBQ is relatively harder than that of MQ. Therefore, the effect of benzo‐annelation of the MQ dye weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bond and relatively inhibits the proton transfer reaction.     

Solvation of AgTFSI in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations

In this paper we investigate the solvation of silver bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salt (AgTFSI) in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium TFSI [EMI][TFSI] ionic liquid by combining Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The IR and Raman spectra were measured in the 200–4000 cm⁻¹ spectral region for AgTFSI/[EMI][TFSI] solutions with different concentrations ([AgTFSI] <0.2 mole fraction). The analysis of the spectra shows that the spectral features observed by dissolution of AgTFSI in [EMI][TFSI] solution originate from interactions between the Ag⁺ cation and the first neighboring TFSI anions to form relatively stable Ag complexes. The ‘gas phase’ interaction energy of a type [Ag(TFSI)₃]²⁻ complex was evaluated by DFT calculations and compared with other interionic interaction energy contributions. The predicted spectral signatures because of the [Ag(TFSI)₃]²⁻ complex were assessed in order to interpret the main IR and Raman spectral features observed. The formation of such complexes leads to the appearance of new interaction‐induced bands situated at 753 cm⁻¹ in Raman and at 1015 and 1371 cm⁻¹ in IR, respectively. These specific spectral signatures are associated with the ‘breathing’ mode and the S–N–S and S–O stretching modes of the TFSI anions engaged in the complex. Finally, all these findings are discussed in terms of interaction mechanisms enabling the electrodeposition characteristics of silver from AgTFSI/[EMI][TFSI] IL‐based electrolytic solutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The study on interactions between 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and benzene/pyridine /pyrrole/thiophene

The density functional theory was used to investigate the interactions between 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl) and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene. The complexes formed between [EMIM]Cl and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene were optimized at the ωB97XD/6‐31++G** level, and the optimized complexes were further analyzed by natural bond orbital, atoms in molecules, and noncovalent interaction. The calculated results show that the interaction energy between ionic liquid and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene is in the order pyrrole > pyridine > thiophene > benzene. The major interactions between ionic liquid and benzene/pyridine/pyrrole/thiophene are hydrogen bonding and π‐π interaction, accompanied by C···H, N···H, H···H, and S···H weak interactions. Both cation and anion of ionic liquid are involved in interactions with aromatic compounds.     

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 on a copper electrode in 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF4) monitored by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

The electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into value‐added products using room temperature ionic liquids as solvent/electrolyte has been proposed as an alternative to minimize the environmental effects of CO₂ emissions. A key issue in the design of electrochemical systems for the reduction of CO₂ is the in situ identification of intermediate surface species as well as reaction products. Copper electrodes, besides being used as cathodes in the electrochemical reduction of CO₂, present surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) when properly activated. In this sense, the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ over a copper electrode in the room temperature ionic liquids 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF₄) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and by in situ SERS. The cyclic voltammetries have shown that the presence of CO₂ on the BMI.BF₄ anticipates the reduction of BMI⁺ to the corresponding carbene. Fourier‐transform‐SERS spectra excited at 1064 nm and SERS spectra excited at 632.8 nm have shown vibrational signals from adsorbed CO. These SERS results indicated that CO adsorbs on the copper surface at two different surface sites. The observation of a 2275 cm⁻¹ vibration in the SERS spectra also confirmed the presence of chemically adsorbed CO₂. Other products of CO₂ reduction in BMI.BF₄, besides CO, were identified, including BMI carbene and the BMI‐CO₂ adduct. The SERS results also suggest that the presence of a thin film of Cu₂O on the copper surface anticipates the reduction of CO₂ to CO, an important component of syngas. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TDDFT study on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide in methanol solution

The time‐dependent density functional theory method was performed to investigate the excited‐state hydrogen‐bonding dynamics of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (2a) and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (3a) in methanol (meoh) solution. The ground and excited‐state geometry optimizations, electronic excitation energies, and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh as well as their monomers 2a and 3a were calculated by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, respectively. We demonstrated that the three intermolecular hydrogen bonds of 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh are strengthened after excitation to the S₁ state, and thus induce electronic spectral redshift. Moreover, the electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen‐bonded complexes in S₁ state are correspondingly decreased compared with those of their corresponding monomer 2a and 3a. In addition, the intramolecular charge transfer of the S₁ state for complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh were theoretically investigated by analysis of molecular orbital. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen‐bonding interactions in fully deuterated α‐glycine at high pressures

Recent spectroscopic investigations of various amino acids report intriguing high‐pressure and low‐temperature behavior of NH₃⁺ groups and their influence on various hydrogen bonds in the system. In particular, the variation of the intensity of NH₃⁺ torsional mode at different temperatures and pressures has received much attention. We report here the first in situ Raman investigations of fully deuterated α‐glycine up to ∼20 GPa. The discontinuous changes in COO⁻ and ND₃⁺ modes across ∼3 GPa indicate subtle structural rearrangements in fully deuterated α‐glycine. The decrease in the intensity of ND₃⁺ torsional mode is found to be similar to that of undeuterated α‐glycine. The pressure‐induced stiffening of N D and CD₂ stretching modes are discussed in the context of changes in the hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of pyruvic acid and geminal‐diol, 2,2‐dihydroxypropanoic acid in aqueous solution: a DFT/TDDFT study

In this work, we present the optimized ground state geometrical structures, electronic excitation energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the isolated Tce‐CH3COCOOH and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH as well as their corresponding hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O through time‐dependent density functional theory method. It is found that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds C=O···H‐O are strengthened in the electronically excited states of the hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O, in that the excitation energies of the related excited states for the hydrogen‐bonded dimers are decreased compared with those of the corresponding monomers. The calculated results are consistent with the rules that are first demonstrated by Zhao on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen‐bonded nucleophile effects in ANS: the reactions of 1‐chloro and 1‐fluoro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene with 2‐guanidinobenzimidazole, 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperidine and N‐(3‐aminopropyl)morpholine in aprotic solvents

The kinetics of the reactions of 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNClB) with 2‐guanidinobenzimidazole (2‐GB) at 40 ± 0.2 °C in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), toluene, and in toluene–DMSO mixtures, and with 1‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperidine (2‐AEPip) and N‐(3‐aminopropyl)morpholine (3‐APMo) in toluene at 25 ± 0.2 °C were studied under pseudo first‐order conditions. For the reactions of 2‐GB carried out in pure DMSO, the second‐order rate coefficients were independent of the amine concentration. In contrast, the reactions of 2‐GB with DNFB in toluene, showed a kinetic behaviour consistent with a base‐catalysed decomposition of the zwitterionic intermediate. These results suggest an intramolecular H‐bonding of 2‐GB in toluene, which is not present in DMSO. To confirm this interpretation the reactions were studied in DMSO–toluene mixtures. Small amounts of DMSO produce significant increase in rate that is not expected on the basis of the classical effect of a dipolar aprotic medium; the effect is consistent with the formation of a nucleophile/co‐solvent mixed aggregate. For the reactions of 3‐APMo with both substrates in toluene, the second‐order rate coefficients, k_A, show a linear dependence on the [amine]. 3‐APMo is able to form a six‐membered ring by an intramolecular H‐bond which prevents the formation of self‐aggregates. In contrast, a third order was observed in the reactions with 2‐AEPip: these results can be interpreted as a H‐bonded homo‐aggregate of the amine acting as a better nucleophile than the monomer. Most of these results can be well explained within the frame of the ‘dimer nucleophile’ mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental and theoretical study on the preparation of 4,4′‐methylene‐bis(N,N‐dimethylaniline) in ionic liquid

The reaction of N,N‐dimethylaniline with tetrachloromethane in ionic liquid was found to give 4,4′‐methylene‐bis (N,N‐dimethylaniline) in considerable yield. The ionic liquid was prepared from N,N‐dimethylaniline which is also the one of raw materials for the preparation of 4,4′‐methylene‐bis (N,N‐dimethylaniline), and acts as both solvent and catalyst in the reaction. Mild reaction conditions, enhanced rates, improved yields, and reagents' reactivity which is different from that in conventional organic solvents are the remarkable features observed in ionic liquids. In addition, the results of calculations are in good accordance with the experimental outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of hydrogen bond modes in polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of α‐oxalic acid dihydrate

Polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of the α‐polymorphs of protonated and deuterated oxalic acid dihydrate were recorded. The interpretation of the spectra is assisted by periodic DFT calculations using the CRYSTAL06 program and by comparison with the infrared spectra of the polycrystalline material. The agreement between the calculated and observed band wavenumbers is fair in the case of low‐anharmonicity modes, but marked differences appear for the stretching modes that are strongly anharmonic. A very broad feature, extending between ∼2000 and 1200 cm⁻¹, is attributed to OH stretching. Notable is the topping of this feature by distinct bands that can be attributed to CO stretching, H₂O scissoring and COH bending coupled to C O stretching. The assignments are supported by isotope effects. However, deuteration does not notably affect the wavenumber limits of the broad OH stretching band, which suggests that the potential governing the proton dynamics is of the asymmetric double‐minimum type with a very low barrier. The calculated normal coordinates show a strong participation of the bending modes of water molecules in almost all internal acid motions, as well as in the external phonons. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1,1,1‐Trichloro‐3‐(1‐phenethylamino‐ethylidene)‐ pentane‐2,4‐dione—synthesis,spectroscopic, theoretical and structural elucidation

1,1,1‐Trichloro‐3‐(1‐phenethylamino‐ethylidene)‐pentane‐2,4‐dione is spectroscopically and structurally elucidated by means of linear‐polarized IR spectroscopy (IR‐LD) of oriented solids as a colloidal suspension in nematic liquid crystal. Structural information and IR‐spectroscopic assignment are supported by quantum chemical calculations at MP2 and B3LYP level of theory and 6‐311++G** basis set. The geometry is characterized with an inramolecular hydrogen bond of NH^…O?C with length of 2.526 Å and a NHO angle of 140.5(1)°. The NH? C(CH₃)C?C? C?O(CH₃) fragment is nearly flat with a maximal deviation of total planarity of 10.4°. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics study of a Diels‐Alder reaction in mixtures of an ionic liquid with molecular solvents

The second‐order rate constants for cycloaddition reaction of cyclopentadiene with naphthoquinone were determined spectrophotometrically in various compositions of 1‐(1‐butyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium terafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄) with water and methanol at 25 °C. Rate constants of the reaction in pure solvents are in the order of water > [bmim]BF₄ > methanol. Rate constants of the reaction decrease sharply with mole fraction of the ionic liquid in aqueous solutions and increase slightly to a maximum in alcoholic mixtures. Multi‐parameter correlation of logk₂ versus solute–solvent interaction parameters demonstrated that solvophobicity parameter (Sp), hydrogen‐bond donor acidity (α) and hydrogen‐bond acceptor basicity (β) of media are the main factors influencing the reaction rate constant. The proposed three‐parameter model shows that the reaction rate constant increases with Sp, α and β parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereochemical control in the structures of linear δ,α‐hybrid tripeptides containing tetrahydrofuran amino acids

Structural and electronic properties of diastereomers of tetrahydrofuran amino acids (TAA) derived tripeptide, Boc‐TAA‐Leu‐Val‐OMe, are studied using density functional theory. Predicted secondary folding patterns with hydrogen bonded pseudocycles of different sizes in peptides containing (2R,5S)‐cis‐TAA and (2S,5R)‐cis‐TAA are confirmed by detailed NMR studies of both, and single crystal X‐ray analysis of the former. A novel unusual folding pattern emanating from three‐centered hydrogen bond is found in peptide with (2R,5S)‐cis relationship. Stereochemical control on the orientation of interacting sites is substantiated by structural analysis of the peptides. Using natural bonding orbital and atoms in molecules analyses, charge transfer interactions are analyzed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.