Synthesis and properties of ionic liquids based on 1-methyl-3-(2-phenethyl)imidazolium
The synthesis and properties of three ionic liquids based on 1-methyl-3-(2-phenethyl)imidazolium cation ([MPIm]) and the chloride, tetrafluoroborate, and hexafluorophosphate anions have been investigated. The proposed quaternization and anion exchange processes afforded quantitative amounts of the three ionic liquids, and very pure [MPIm][BF4] and [MPIm][PF6] were obtained after recrystallization from ethanol. [MPIm][BF4] showed low melting point and high electrical conductivity. These ionic liquids (immiscible with diethyl ether but miscible with water and DMSO) absorb air moisture, increasing their mass and decreasing their viscosity. The results of NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, and 19F) and X-ray structure determination confirm the possibility of ion-pair and hydrogen-bond formation in [MPIm][BF4].