Electrochemical Determination of Manganese Solubility in Mercury via Amalgamation and Stripping in the Room Temperature Ionic Liquid n‐Hexyltriethylammonium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, [N6,2,2,2][NTf2]

The solubility of manganese in mercury was determined electrochemically via amalgamation and stripping in the room temperature ionic liquid n‐hexyltriethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, [N_6,2,2,2][NTf₂]. A hemispherical mercury electrode was made by electrodepositing mercury onto a planar platinum microelectrode. Cyclic voltammetry of Mn²⁺ in [N_6,2,2,2][NTf₂] at the mercury microhemisphere electrode was investigated at temperatures of 298, 303 and 313 K. The solubility of Mn in Hg was determined on the basis of the charge under the reduction peak (Mn²⁺→Mn⁰) and the corresponding reoxidation.     

Abrasive Stripping Voltammetric Studies of Lignin and Lignin Model Compounds

Lignin is potentially a major renewable, nonfossil source of aromatic and cyclohexyl compounds. In this study, we have investigated the abrasive stripping voltammetry of lignin and four lignin model compounds in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [C₄mim][NTf₂], [N_6,2,2,2][NTf₂] and [C₄mim][OTf] (where [C₄mim]⁺=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, [N_6,2,2,2]⁺=n‐hexyltriethylammonium, [NTf₂]^?=bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and [OTf]^? =trifluoromethanesulfonate) on a gold macrodisk and in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH on a boron‐doped diamond (BDD) macroelectrode, with the hope of using the voltammetry to fingerprint the functional groups within the lignin molecule. The use of RTILs on metal electrodes, or either acidic or basic media in combination with BDD electrodes allows solvent systems with wide electrochemical potential windows, useful for studying voltammetry which may be difficult to observe in systems where early breakdown of the solvent occurs.     

Transport Properties and Phase Behaviour in Binary and Ternary Ionic Liquid Electrolyte Systems of Interest in Lithium Batteries

A binary ionic liquid (IL) system based on a common cation, N‐methyl‐N‐propylpyrrolidinium (C₃mpyr⁺), and either bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NTf₂^?) or bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (FSI^?) as the anion is explored over its entire composition range. Phase behavior, determined by DSC, shows the presence of a eutectic temperature at 247 K and composition around an anion ratio of 2:1 (FSI^?:NTf₂^?) with the phase diagram for this system proposed (under the thermal conditions used). Importantly for electrochemical devices, the single phase melting transition at the eutectic is well below ambient temperatures (247 K). To investigate the effect of such anion mixing on the lithium ion speciation, conductivity and PFG–NMR diffusion measurements were performed in both the binary IL system as well as the Li‐NTf₂‐containing ternary system. The addition of the lithium salt to the mixed IL system resulted in a decrease in conductivity, as is commonly observed in the single‐component IL systems. For a fixed lithium salt composition, both conductivity and ion diffusion have linear behaviour as a function of the anion ratio, however, the rate of change of the diffusion coefficient seems greater in the presence of lithium. From the application point of view, the addition of the FSI^? to the NTf₂^? IL results in a considerable increase in lithium ion diffusivity at room temperature and no evidence of additional complex ion behaviour.     

Synthesis and Characterisation of Fluorescent Carbon Nanodots Produced in Ionic Liquids by Laser Ablation

Carbon nanodots (C‐dots) with an average size of 1.5 and 3.0 nm were produced by laser ablation in different imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs), namely, 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF₄), 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMI.NTf₂) and 1‐n‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (OMI.NTf₂). The mean size of the nanoparticles is influenced by the imidazolium alkyl side chain but not by the nature of the anion. However, by varying the anion (BF₄ vs. NTf₂) it was possible to detect a significant modification of the fluorescence properties. The C‐dots are much probably stabilised by an electrostatic layer of the IL and this interaction has played an important role with regard to the formation, stabilisation and photoluminescence properties of the nanodots. A tuneable broadband fluorescence emission from the colloidal suspension was observed under ultraviolet/visible excitation with fluorescence lifetimes fitted by a multi‐exponential decay with average values around 7 ns.     

Conductive networked polymer gel electrolytes composed of poly(meth)acrylate,lithium salt,and ionic liquid

Self‐standing films of (meth)acrylate‐based polymer gel electrolytes with high ionic liquid content (80 wt %) were prepared by in situ thermally or photo induced radical copolymerization of mono‐functional and di‐functional (meth)acrylates in an ionic liquid in the presence/absence of a lithium salt. Their ionic conductivity, thermal property, mechanical property, and flammability were examined. 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI) or 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (EMImFSI) was used as the ionic liquid, and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide LiTFSI was used as the lithium salt. The obtained films were semitransparent and flexible with good to moderate thermal stability and mechanical strength with high ionic conductivity. The EMImFSI‐containing gel electrolytes showed higher ionic conductivity than the corresponding EMImTFSI‐containing gel electrolytes. The ionic conductivity in the acrylate‐based gel electrolytes was slightly increased by addition of lithium salt, while that in the corresponding methacrylate‐based electrolytes was decreased significantly. The flame test showed the ionic liquid containing networked polymer gel electrolytes to have low if any flammability and was therefore confirmed to be highly safe. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Chiral Pyrrolidinium Ionic Liquids with (−)-Borneol Fragment in the Cation – Synthesis,Physicochemical Properties and Application in Diels-Alder Reaction

A series of chiral pyrrolidinium salts containing (1 S)-endo-(−)-born-2-yloxymethyl substituent in the structure of the cation and six different anions: chloride, tetrafluoroborate [BF₄]⁻, hexafluorophosphate [PF₆]⁻, trifluoromethanesulfonate [OTf]⁻, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [NTf₂]⁻, bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide [NPf₂]⁻ and perfluorobutanesulfonate [C₄FS]⁻ were efficiently prepared and extensively characterized. The enantiomeric purity of them was confirmed by NMR analysis with a chemical shift reagent. All salts were characterized with the specific rotation, the solubility in commonly used solvents, thermal properties, including phase transition temperatures and thermal stability. Salts with [PF₆]⁻, [C₄FS]⁻, [NTf₂]⁻ and [NPf₂]⁻ anions were classified as chiral ionic liquids (CILs). Moreover, salts with [NTf₂]⁻ and [NPf₂]⁻ anions were in the liquid state at room temperature and below. Therefore, density and dynamic viscosity, the surface tension and the contact angle on three different surfaces were also measured for them. Additionally, these chiral ionic liquids were tested as solvents in Diels-Alder reaction.     

Fabricating polypyrrole/tungsten oxide hybrid based electrochromic devices using different ionic liquids

A facile approach of polypyrrole (PPy)/tungsten oxide (WO₃) composites electrosynthesized in ionic liquids for fabrication of electrochromic devices is discussed. The electrochromic properties of PPy/tungsten oxide nanocomposite films (PPy/WO₃) prepared in the presence of four different ionic liquids, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (BMIMTFSI), and 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (BMPTFSI) were investigated in detail. Cyclic voltammetry results revealed that PPy/WO₃ nanocomposite films have much more electrochemical activity than those of WO₃ and PPy film. The electrochromic contrast, coloration efficiency, and switching speed of the composite films were determined for electrochromic characteristics. The maximum contrast and the maximum coloration efficiency values were measured as 33.25% and 227.89 cm²/C for the PPy/WO₃/BMIMTFSI composite film. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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     

Ionic Fluids Containing Both Strongly and Weakly Interacting Ions of the Same Charge Have Unique Ionic and Chemical Environments as a Function of Ion Concentration

Liquid multi‐ion systems made by combining two or more salts can exhibit charge ordering and interactions not found in the parent salts, leading to new sets of properties. This is investigated herein by examining a liquid comprised of a single cation, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ([C₂mim]⁺), and two anions with different properties, acetate ([OAc]^?) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]^?). NMR and IR spectroscopy indicate that the electrostatic interactions are quite different from those in either [C₂mim][OAc] or [C₂mim][NTf₂]. This is attributed to the ability of [OAc]^? to form complexes with the [C₂mim]⁺ ions at greater than 1:1 stoichiometries by drawing [C₂mim]⁺ ions away from the less basic [NTf₂]^? ions. Solubility studies with molecular solvents (ethyl acetate, water) and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, diphenhydramine) show nonlinear trends as a function of ion content, which suggests that solubility can be tuned through changes in the ionic compositions.     

Effect of Cation Structure in Quinolinium-Based Ionic Liquids on the Solubility in Aromatic Sulfur Compounds or Heptane: Thermodynamic Study on Phase Diagrams

Experimental and theoretical studies on thermodynamic properties of quinolinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) based on bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion (namely N-butyl-quinoloinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [BQuin][NTf₂], N-hexylquinoloinium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide, [HQuin][NTf₂], and N-octylquinoloinium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide, [OQuin][NTf₂]) with aromatic sulfur compounds and heptane, as a model compound of fuel were examined in order to assess the applicability of the studied ionic liquids for desulfurization of fuels. With this aim, the temperature-composition phase diagrams of 13 binary mixtures composed of organic sulfur compounds (thiophene, benzothiophene, or 2-methylthiophene) or heptane and ionic liquid (IL) were investigated at ambient pressure. A dynamic method was used to determine the (solid–liquid) equilibrium phase diagrams in binary systems over a wide composition range and temperature range from T = 255.15 to 365.15 K up to the fusion temperature of ILs. The immiscibility gap with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) was observed for each binary system under study. The influence of the alkane chain length of the substituent on the IL cation and of the sulfur compounds (the aromaticity of the solvent) was described. The experimental (solid + liquid) phase equilibrium dataset were successfully correlated using the well-known NRTL equation.     

Liquid–Liquid Equilibria for Extraction of Citrus Essential Oil Using Ionic Liquids

The object of this study was to measure the liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) data of binary mixtures containing ionic liquids and citrus essential oil. We investigated linalool as the citrus essential oil, and 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C _n MIM]⁺[TFSI]^?) as the ionic liquid. Firstly, the experimental apparatus and procedure for the LLE measurement of mixtures containing ionic liquids were verified by measuring the LLE of the binary mixture 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₆MIM]⁺[TFSI]^?) + 1-hexanol as a reference test system recommended by Marsh et al. (Pure Appl Chem 81:781–789, 2009). Next, the LLE data for IL + linalool were obtained, and the LLE data of two binary mixtures 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₄MIM]⁺[TFSI]^?) or [C₆MIM]⁺[TFSI]^? + linalool were determined. The experimental LLE data were satisfactorily represented by the non-random two-liquid model.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Biological Evaluation,and In Silico Studies of Imidazolium-, Pyridinium-, and Ammonium-Based Ionic Liquids Containing n-Butyl Side Chains

Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as active pharmaceutical ingredients because of their excellent antibacterial and biological activities. Herein, we used the green-chemistry-synthesis procedure, also known as the metathesis method, to develop three series of ionic liquids using 1-methyl-3-butyl imidazolium, butyl pyridinium, and diethyldibutylammonium as cations, and bromide (Br⁻), methanesulfonate (CH₃SO₃⁻), bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NTf₂⁻), dichloroacetate (CHCl₂CO₂⁻), tetrafluoroborate (BF₄⁻), and hydrogen sulfate (HSO₄⁻) as anions. Spectroscopic methods were used to validate the structures of the lab-synthesized ILs. We performed an agar well diffusion assay by using pathogenic bacteria that cause various infections (Escherichia coli; Enterobacter aerogenes; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Proteus vulgaris; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pyogenes) to scrutinize the in vitro antibacterial activity of the ILs. It was established that the nature and unique combination of the cations and anions were responsible for the antibacterial activity of the ILs. Among the tested ionic liquids, the imidazolium cation and NTf₂⁻ and HSO₄⁻ anions exhibited the highest antibacterial activity. The antibacterial potential was further investigated by in silico studies, and it was observed that bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NTf₂⁻) containing imidazolium and pyridinium ionic liquids showed the maximum inhibition against the targeted bacterial strains and could be utilized in antibiotics. These antibacterial activities float the ILs as a promising alternative to the existing antibiotics and antiseptics.     

Liquid Nickel Salts: Synthesis,Crystal Structure Determination,and Electrochemical Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles

New nickel‐containing ionic liquids were synthesized, characterized and their electrochemistry was investigated. In addition, a mechanism for the electrochemical synthesis of nanoparticles from these compounds is proposed. In these so‐called liquid metal salts, the nickel(II) cation is octahedrally coordinated by six N‐alkylimidazole ligands. The different counter anions that were used are bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf₂N^?), trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf^?) and methanesulfonate (OMs^?). Several different N‐alkylimidazoles were considered, with the alkyl sidechain ranging in length from methyl to dodecyl. The newly synthesized liquid metal salts were characterized by CHN analysis, FTIR, DSC, TGA and viscosity measurements. An odd‐even effect was observed for the melting temperatures and viscosities of the ionic liquids, with the complexes with an even number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of the imidazole having a higher melting temperature and a lower viscosity than the complexes with an odd number of carbons. The crystal structures of several of the nickel(II) complexes that are not liquid at room temperature were determined. The electrochemistry of the compounds with the lowest viscosities was investigated. The nickel(II) cation could be reduced but surprisingly no nickel deposits were obtained on the electrode. Instead, nickel nanoparticles were formed at 100 % selectivity, as confirmed by TEM. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles were investigated by SQUID measurements.     

Isotope effects on miscibility of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl imides with aromatic hydrocarbons

The liquid–liquid miscibility temperatures as a function of composition and deuterium substitution have been experimentally determined for the binary mixtures of 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl imide, [C₁₀MIM][NTf₂], and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl imide, [C₁₂MIM][NTf₂] with benzene and toluene and their deuterated forms. All systems exhibit upper critical solution temperatures (UCSTs) and better miscibility for ionic liquids with longer alkyl chain. The interchange of benzene for toluene results in worse miscibility for [C₁₀MIM][NTf₂] and better for [C₁₂MIM][NTf₂]. Deuteration of the aromatics leads to better miscibility in each case. The sign of the isotope effect is in agreement with expectations and its value seems to be seriously affected by the neighborhood of the hypercritical state.     

Investigations on the Physicochemical and Radiolytic Degradation Properties of Tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butylphosphate–Ionic Liquid in the Presence of Nitric Acid

Tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in an ionic liquid (IL) has been proposed as a suitable alternative for the solvent extraction of actinides from nitric acid solutions. This paper reports the detailed investigations on the physicochemical and hydrodynamic properties of the solvent system containing TBP in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][NTf₂]) IL. The properties such as density, viscosity, phase separation time (PST), etc., were measured for irradiated and unirradiated solvent phases composed of TBP, [C₄mim][NTf₂] and 1.1 mol·L^–1 TBP in [C₄mim][NTf₂]. The results are compared with the values obtained in acid-equilibrated IL phases. ATR–FTIR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering measurement of the IL phase were employed to characterize the interactions among the IL, TBP and nitric acid medium, and the aggregate size of the adduct formed in the IL phase.     

Abrasive Stripping Voltammetry in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

We report on the abrasive stripping voltammetry (AbrSV) of six different solid compounds of widely different natures in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). Copper as a metal representative, Prussian blue as a typical inorganic complex, indigo as an organic dye model, and anthracene, pyrene, and 9,10‐diphenylanthracene as the typical representatives of aromatic hydrocarbons were chosen in this study. They were immobilized on a gold electrode surface by mechanical abrasion and their subsequent voltammetric measurements were carried out in the ionic liquid [C₄mim][NTf₂], 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The present work demonstrates that RTILs provide an excellent electrochemical solvent environment for abrasive stripping voltammetric analysis; in particular, the much wider potential windows in RTILs as compared to aqueous media greatly enhance the analytical applicability of the AbrSV technique.     

Ideal and non-ideal behaviour of {1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolydinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide + γ-butyrolactone} binary mixtures

Density, electrical conductivity and viscosity of binary liquid mixtures of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolydinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [bmpyrr][NTf₂], with γ-butyrolactone (GBL) were measured at temperatures from (293.15 to 323.15) K and at atmospheric pressure over the whole composition range. Excess molar volumes have been calculated from the experimental densities and fitted with the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. These values are positive over the whole range of ionic liquid mole fraction and at all temperatures. In the range between 0.55 and 0.6 [bmpyrr][NTf₂] mole fraction, an ideal behaviour of the ionic liquid mixture with molecular solvent was observed for the first time. Other volumetric properties, such as isobaric thermal expansion coefficients, partial molar volumes and partial molar volumes at infinite dilution have been also calculated, in order to obtain information about interactions between GBL and selected ionic liquid. Positive values of these properties for both components also indicate weaker interactions between GBL and IL compared to the pure components. From the viscosity results, the Angell strength parameter was calculated and found to be 3.24 indicating that [bmpyrr][NTf₂] is a “fragile” liquid. From the volumetric and transport properties obtained, formation of the [bmpyrr]⁺ micellar structures was also discussed. All the results are compared to those obtained for imidazolium-based ionic liquid with GBL.     

The Kinetics of Ferrocene Volatilisation from an Ionic Liquid

The volatilisation of ferrocene (Fc), dissolved in the ionic liquid N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [C₄mpyrr][NTf₂], to the gas phase has been indirectly monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Simulation of the observed trends in concentration with time using a simple model allowed quantification of the process. Volatilisation of dissolved Fc under flowing wet and dry dinitrogen gas (N₂) was found to be kinetically limited with a rate constant in the region of 2×10^?7 cm s^?1. The activation energy of diffusion for Fc was found to be 28.2±0.7 kJ mol^?1, while the activation energy of volatilisation of Fc from [C₄mpyrr][NTf₂] to dry N₂ was found to be 85±2 kJ mol^?1.     

Liquid–liquid equilibrium and interfacial tension of the ternary system heptane + thiophene + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide

The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) of the ternary system comprising heptane, thiophene and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₂mim][NTf₂]) was determined at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure, for preliminary evaluation of the potential of this ionic liquid as solvent for the desulfurisation of transportation fuels. Classical parameters such as solute distribution ratio and selectivity were calculated from the LLE data and subsequently analysed. The LLE data were also correlated by means of the ‘Non-Random Two-Liquid’ (NRTL) equation. Besides the LLE, another critical property for the design of extraction processes, namely the interfacial tension, was determined in parallel, throughout the immiscibility domain of the ternary system. For the first time, the LLE and the interfacial tension of a ternary system involving an ionic liquid are jointly reported.     

Synthesis and Properties of Alkoxy‐ and Alkenyl‐Substituted Peralkylated Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

Novel peralkylated imidazolium ionic liquids bearing alkoxy and/or alkenyl side chains have been synthesized and studied. Different synthetic routes towards the imidazoles and the ionic liquids comprising bromide, iodide, methanesulfonate, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]^?), and dicyanamide {[N(CN)₂]^?} as the anion were evaluated, and this led to a library of analogues, for which the melting points, viscosities, and electrochemical windows were determined. Incorporation of alkenyl moieties hindered solidification, except for cations with high symmetry. The alkoxy‐derivatized ionic liquids are often crystalline; however, room‐temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) were obtained with the weakly coordinating anions [NTf₂]^? and [N(CN)₂]^?. For the viscosities of the peralkylated RTILs, an opposite trend was found, that is, the alkoxy derivatives are less viscous than their alkenyl‐substituted analogues. Of the crystalline compounds, X‐ray diffraction data were recorded and related to their molecular properties. Upon alkoxy substitution, the electrochemical cathodic limit potential was found to be more positive, whereas the complete electrochemical window of the alkenyl‐substituted imidazolium salts was shifted to somewhat more positive potentials.