Ionic liquids: Improved syntheses and new products

We report here the improved syntheses of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids. Microwave irradiation drastically reduces the preparation time of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium and N-alkylpyridinium halide salts and, in addition, three halide-free routes to ionic liquids have been developed. New, chiral, imidazolium-based ionic liquids were prepared using both conventional and halide-free procedures. Chirality was introduced in the new compounds at either the cation or the anion, or both.

Improved preparations of ionic liquids using microwave irradiation

Controlled, multimode microwave irradiation has been employed in a generic solvent-free process to prepare a wide range of ionic liquids based on nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The developed method offers a flexible, small to large-scale approach to prepare ionic liquids, in either sealed or open vessels, in a faster and greener process than any previously described.

Stoichiometric and catalytic reactions of gold utilizing ionic liquids

The first thiazolium gold(III) compound that qualifies as an ionic liquid has been prepared and crystallographically characterized. Hydration of phenylacetylene with this compound as catalyst precursor in ionic liquids indicates that gold(Ill)based ionic liquids could serve both as solvents and catalysts for organic transformations. The potential re-use of catalysts is an advantage achieved by recycling the ionic liquid phase. Various imidazolium-derived ionic liquids as well as the new thiazolium compound can be converted into gold carbene complexes by sequential deprotonation and coordination, opening the way for in situ catalyst tailoring. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Selective synthesis of chlorophosphoramidites using ionic liquids

A range of chlorophosphoramidites have been prepared in ionic liquids and compared with material synthesised in molecular solvents. Through the use of ionic liquids as reaction media the moisture sensitivity and impurity issues hampering existing traditional synthetic routes have been eased. Not only can stock chemicals be used without purification, but the reactions may be conducted at room temperature and at high concentrations. Furthermore, reaction times are reduced and rapid addition of reagents is possible whilst retaining tight control over product selectivity. Beyond their role as reaction media, ionic liquids also present a unique storage medium for these highly moisture sensitive chlorophosphoramidites.

Evaluation of a Microfluidic Device for the Electrochemical Determination of Halide Content in Ionic Liquids

A microfluidic device designed for electrochemical studies on a microliter scale has been utilized for the examination of impurity levels in ionic liquids (ILs). Halide impurities are common following IL synthesis, and this study demonstrates the ability to quantify low concentrations of halide in a range of ILs to levels of similar to 5 ppm, even in ILs not currently measurable using other methods such as ion chromatography. To validate the mixer device, the electrochemistry of ferrocene was also examined and compared with spectroscopic and bulk electrochemistry measurements. An automated

Liquid-liquid miscibility and volumetric properties of aqueous solutions of ionic liquids as a function of temperature

The volumetric properties of seven {water + ionic liquid} binary mixtures have been studied as a function of temperature from (293 to 343) K. The phase behaviour of the systems was first investigated using a nephelometric method and excess molar volumes were calculated from densities measured using an Anton Paar densimeter and fitted using a Redlich-Kister type equation. Two ionic liquids fully miscible with water (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([CCIm][BF]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([CCIm][EtSO])) and five ionic liquids only partially miscible with water (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([CCIm][NTf]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([CCIm][NTf]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([CCIm][PF]), 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([CCPyrro][NTf]), and butyltrimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N][NTf])) were chosen. Small excess volumes (less than 0.5 cm · mol at 298 K) are obtained compared with the molar volumes of the pure components (less than 0.3% of the molar volume of the pure ionic liquid). For all the considered systems, except for {[CCIm][EtSO] + water}, positive excess molar volumes were calculated. Finally, an increase of the non-ideality character is observed for all the systems as temperature increases. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of a QSPR correlation for the parachor of 1,3-dialkyl imidazolium based ionic liquids

Ionic liquids have received significant interest from both academia and industry for a wide range of applications which often requires knowledge of their thermophysical properties. Quantitative structure-property relationship correlations and group contribution methods for thermophysical properties of ionic liquids are a basic necessity for the development of computer aided molecular design approaches for these liquids and subsequently offer the potential for designing an ionic liquid having a desirable set of thermophysical properties. However, the limited availability of experimental thermophysical data and their quality have prevented the development of such tools. Based on previously reported experimental surface tension data, a correlation of the parachors with the molar volume of the ionic liquids has been developed. The predicted parachor values have been shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. A maximum deviation of

Evaluation of Gas Solubility Prediction in Ionic Liquids using COSMOthermX

As the range of available ionic liquids increases, methods by which important engineering parameters such as gas solubilities can be estimated from simple structural information become ever more desirable. COSMO-based thermodynamic models, such as that used by COSMOthermX, allow the determination of such data for pure and mixed component systems. Herein, we evaluate the predictive capability of COSMOthermX through a comparison with literature data obtained from the IUPAC database which contains data for 15 gases in 27 ionic liquids, To determine any effect inherent to ionic liquids, gas solubility predictions were first performed for selected molecular solvents at constant temperature and pressure. Further estimations of gas solubility at temperatures ranging from (278 to 368) K at 0.1 MPa in water were performed for 14 gases. The Study has demonstrated that COSMOthermX is capable of predicting, qualitatively, gas solubilities in ionic liquids and, hence, reducing the amount of unnecessary experimental measurements prior to specific applications using ionic liquids.

Electrochemistry in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids: Potential Windows at Mercury Electrodes

The cathodic and anodic: potential limit of eleven different ionic liquids were determined at a mercury hemisphere electrode. Ionic liquids containing the phosphonium cation (tri(n-hexyl)tetradecylphosphonium, [P-14.6,P-6.6](+)) give the largest potential window, especially When Coupled to a trifluorotris(pentafluoroethyl)- [FAP](-). or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, [NTf2](-), anion.

Electrochemical Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide at Platinum Electrodes in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Evidence for Significant Accumulation of H2S at the Pt/1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Trifluoromethylsulfonate Interface

Electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) has been studied at a platinum microelectrode (10 mu m diameter) in five room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs): [C(4)mim][OTf], [C(4)dmim][NTf2], [C(4)mim][PF6],. [C(6)mim][FAP], and [P-14,P-6,P-6,P-6][FAP] (where [C-n mim](+) = 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C(n)dmim](+) = 1-alkyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, [P-14,P-6,P-6,P-6](+) = tris(p-hexyl)-tetradecylphosphonium, [OTf](-) = trifluoromethlysulfonate, [NTf2](-) = bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [PF6](-) = hexafluorophosphate, and [FAP](-) = trifluorotris(pentafluoroethyl)phosphate). In four of the RTILs ([C(4)dmim][NTf2], [C(4)mim][PF6], [C(6)mim][FAP], and [P-14,P-6,P-6,P-6][FAP]), no clear oxidative signal was observed. In [C(4)mim][OTf], a chemically irreversible oxidation peak was observed on the oxidative sweep with no signal seen on the reverse scan. The oxidative signal showed an adsorptive stripping peak type followed by near steady-state limiting current behavior. Potential step chronoamperometry was carried out on the reductive wave, giving a diffusion coefficient and solubility of 1.6 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1) and 7 mM, respectively (at 25 degrees C). Using these data, we modeled the oxidation signal kinetically, assuming adsorption preceded oxidation and that adsorption was approximately Langmuirian. The oxidation step was described by an electrochemically fully irreversible Tafel law/Butler-Volmer formalism. Modeling indicated a substantial buildup of H2S in the double layer in excess of the coverage that would be expected for a monolayer of chemisorbed H2S, reflecting high solubility of the gas in [C(4)mim][OTf] and possible attractive interactions with the [OTf](-) anions accumulated at the electrode at potentials positive of the potential of zero charge. Solute enrichment of the double layer in the solution adjacent to the electrode appears a novel feature of RTIL electrochemistry.

Dissolved Argon Changes the Rate of Diffusion in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Effect of the Presence and Absence of Argon and Nitrogen on the Voltammetry of Ferrocene

This work explores the effects of argon and nitrogen, two electrochemically and chemically inert gases frequently used in sample preparation of room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) solutions, on the eelectrochemical characterization of ferrocene (Fc) dissolved in the RTIL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C(2)mim][NTf2]). Remarkably, chronoamperometrically determined diffusion coefficients of Fc in [C(2)mim][NTf2] are found to increase from 4.8 (+/- 0.2) x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1) under vacuum conditions to 6.6 (+/- 0.5) x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1) in an atmosphere of 1 atm Ar. In contrast, exposing a vacuum-purified sample to an atmosphere of 1 atm N-2 resulted in no significant change in the measured diffusion coefficient of Fc. The effect of dissolved argon on diffusion transport is unexpected and has implications in electrochemistry and elsewhere. Fc was found to volatilize under vacuum conditions. We propose, however, that evacuation of the cell by vacuum prior to electrochemical measurements being carried out is the only way to ensure that no contamination of the sample occurs, and use of an in situ method of determining the diffusion coefficient and concentration of Fc dispells,any ambiguity associated with Fc depletion by vacuum.

Gold imidazolium-based ionic liquids, efficient catalysts for cycloisomerization of gamma-acetylenic carboxylic acids

Ionic liquid stabilized gold(III) chloride is shown to be a very active catalyst in the cyclization of sterically hindered and unhindered acetylenic carboxylic acid substrates even in the absence of a base.

Effect of Water on the Electrochemical Window and Potential Limits of Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids

The effect of water content on room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) was studied by Karl Fischer titration and cyclic voltammetry in the following ionic liquids: tris(P-hexyl)tetradecylphosphonium trifluorotris(pentafluoroethyl)phosphate [P-14,P-6,P-6,P-6][NTf2], N-butyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C(4)mpyrr][NTf2], 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(perfluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate [C(6)mim][FAP], 1-butyl3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C(4)mim][NTf2], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C(4)dmim][NTf2], N-hexyltriethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsolfonyl)imide [N-6,N-2,N-2,N-2][NTf2], 1-butyl-3-methylirnidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C(4)mim][PF6], F6], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C(2)mim][NTf2], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C(4)mim][BF4], 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide [C(4)mim][I], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate [C(4)mim][OTf], and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C(6)mim][Cl]. In addition, electrochemically relevant properties such as viscosity, conductivity, density, and melting point of RTILs are summarized from previous literature and are discussed. Karl Fisher titrations were carried out to determine the water content of RTILs for vacuum-dried, atmospheric, and wet samples. The anion in particular was found to affect the level of water uptake. The hydrophobicity of the anions adhered to the following trend: [FAP](-) > [NTf2](-) > [PF6](-) > [BF4](-) > halides. Cyclic voltammetry shows that an increase in water content significantly narrows the electrochemical window of each ionic liquid. The electrochemical window decreases in the following order: vacuum-dried > atmospheric > wet at 298 K > 318 K > 338 K. The anodic and cathodic potentials vs ferrocene internal reference are also listed under vacuum-dried and atmospheric conditions. The data obtained may aid the selection of a RTIL for use as a solvent in electrochemical applications.

Structure and bonding in ionic liquids

The influence of peripheral substitution on the physical properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids is described. Studies into the molecular structure of ionic liquids using X-ray crystallography, XAFS, recoil mass spectrometry and reflectivity measurements are described with particular reference to the interactions between ionic liquids and solutes; the example of an ionic liquid-organic co-crystal is given.

Catalytic Hydrogenolysis of Aromatic Ketones in Mixed Choline-Betainium Ionic Liquids

The palladium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of aromatic ketones to alkylbenzenes was studied in mixtures of ionic liquids to explore the promotional effect of these reaction media. Choline-based ionic liquids displayed complete miscibility with the aromatic ketone substrate at reaction temperature and a clear phase separation of the derived alkylbenzene product at room temperature. Selected ionic liquids were then assessed as reaction media in the hydrogenolysis of aromatic ketones over palladium catalysts. A binary mixture of choline and betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids resulted in the highest conversion and selectivity values in the hydrogenolysis of acetophenone. At the end of the reaction, the immiscible alkylbenzene separates from the ionic liquid mixture and the pure product phase can be isolated by simple decantation. After optimization of the reaction conditions, high yields (>90%) of alkylbenzene were obtained in all cases. The catalyst and the ionic liquid could be used at least three times without any loss of activity or selectivity.