A force field for guanidinium-based ionic liquids that utilizes the electron charge distribution of the actual liquid: a molecular simulation study

We propose a new all-atom force field for guanidinium-based ionic liquids (GILs) which is based on the charge distribution in the actual liquid. It comprises all cations that can be built by attaching alkyl chains of variable length to an acyclic or cyclic guanidinium compound and that are paired with nitrate or perchlorate anions. We based the parametrization of the force field on liquid-phase charge distributions to improve the prediction of energetic and dynamic properties of GILs. The impact of electron charge transfer and polarization on various properties of GILs is systematically assessed. A significant average electron charge transfer between -0.12 and -0.06 e from anions to the central guanidinium group of the cations and a strong polarization of acyclic cations are observed by applying a combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) approach. Molecular dynamics simulations of GILs are performed, utilizing the proposed force field. Derived structures approach the accuracy of QM/MM structures, and a previously reported crystal structure remains stable throughout the simulations. Mass densities are reproduced with a deviation of only 1.4% from experimental data. The calculated melting point of a GIL crystal deviates only 8% from the measured value. Self-diffusion coefficients of various GILs are reported, and a comparison with a diffusion coefficient derived from experimental data indicates that the values are within a reasonable range. We observe that the melting point of a GIL crystal was lowered up to 60 K and that diffusion coefficients are substantially increased by a factor of up to 3.5 upon consideration of charge transfer and polarization. The results demonstrate that liquid-phase partial charges are capable of improving the quality of ionic liquid force fields substantially and that their utilization led to a model that can be applied to predict structural, energetic, and dynamic properties of GILs.