Extractive - oxidative desulfurization of model fuels using imidazole-based dicationic ionic liquids as extractant

A series of bis-imidazole ionic liquid extractants [Cn(MIM)2]X2 ( n = 2, 4, 6; X = HSO4-, p-CH3C6H4SO3-, CF3COO- ) with different acidity were designed, synthesized and applied to the...

Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone Using bis(N-(N′-butylimidazolium)alkane Dicationic Ionic Liquids as the Metal-Free Catalysts: Polymer Synthesis, Kinetics and DFT Mechanistic Study

In this work, we successfully synthesized high thermal sTable 1,n-bis(N-(N′-butylimidazolium)alkane bishexafluorophosphates (1,n-bis[Bim][PF6], n = 4, 6, 8, and 10) catalysts in 55–70% yields from imidazole which were applied as non-toxic DILs catalysts with 1-butanol as initiator for the bulk ROP of ε-caprolactone (CL) in the varied ratio of CL/nBuOH/1,4-bis[Bim][PF6] from 200/1.0/0.25–4.0 to 700/1.0/0.25–4.0 by mol%. The result found that the optimal ratio of CL/nBuOH/1,4-bis[Bim][PF6] 400/1.0/0.5 mol% at 120 °C for 72 h led to the polymerization conversions higher than 95%, with the molecular weight (Mw) of PCL 20,130 g mol−1 (Đ~1.80). The polymerization rate of CL increased with the decreasing linker chain length of ionic liquids. Moreover, the mechanistic study was investigated by DFT using B3LYP (6–31G(d,p)) as basis set. The most plausible mechanism included the stepwise and coordination insertion in which the alkoxide insertion step is the rate-determining step.

Synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthene and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives promoted by two bis-imidazolium-based ionic liquids

Aim and objective: In this work, we have prepared two bis-dicationic ionic liquids with the same cationic core (Bis-imidazole) and different counter-anions using sulfuric acid and perchloric acids. After that, the efficiency and ability of these compounds as catalysts were investigated and compared in the promotion of Knoevenagel condensation and synthesis of benzo[b]pyran derivatives to see the effect of the anionic counter-part in the reaction. Material and method: In a 25 mL round-bottomed flask, a mixture of aldehyde (1.0 mmol), 1,3-cyclodicarbonyl (2.0 mmol) and the desired amount of the mentioned acidic ionic liquids was heated at 90°C in the absence of solvent (Reaction A) or In a 25 mL round-bottomed flask, a mixture of aldehyde (1.0 mmol), 1,3-cyclodicarbonyl (1.0 mmol), malononitrile, (1.1 mmol) and optimized amounts of the ionic liquid in water (3.0 mL) was heated at 80°C (Reaction B) for the appropriated time. After the completion of the reactions which were monitored by TLC (n-hexane: EtOAc; 3:1), 10 mL of water was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 minutes. Then, the products were separated by filtration and were washed several times with water. After drying, the pure products were obtained while there was no need to further. Results: Comparison of the obtained results from both of the ionic liquids revealed that [H2-Bisim][HSO4]2 because of its more acidic structure had a more catalytic activity for the preparation of 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthene derivatives but [H2-Bisim][ClO4]2 was relatively more efficient for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives since the stronger acidic nature of [H2-Bisim][HSO4]2 may prevent the simple activation of malononitrile in the reaction media. Conclusion: In this study, we have introduced efficient methods for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthene and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives in the presence of catalytic amounts of [H2-Bisim][ClO4]2 and [H2-Bisim][HSO4]2 These methods have several advantages such as ease of preparation and handling of the catalysts, high reaction rates, excellent yields, eco-friendly procedures and simple work-up.

Expanding the Chemical Space of Benzimidazole Dicationic Ionic Liquids

Benzimidazole dicationic ionic liquids (BDILs) have not yet been widely explored in spite of their potential. Therefore, two structurally related families of BDILs, paired with either bromide or bistriflimide anions and bearing alkyl spacers ranging from C3 to C6, have been prepared. Their thermal properties have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while their electrical properties have been assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). TG analysis confirmed the higher stability of the bistriflimide BDILs over the bromide BDILs, with minor variation within the two families. Conversely, DSC and CV allowed for ascertaining the role played by the spacer length. In particular, the thermal behavior changed dramatically among the members of the bistriflimide family, and all three possible thermal behavior types of ILs were observed. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry showed different electrochemical window (C3(C1BenzIm)2/2Tf2N < C4(C1BenzIm)2/2Tf2N, C5(C1BenzIm)2/2Tf2N < C6(C1BenzIm)2/2Tf2N) as well as a reduction peak potential, shape, and intensity as a function of the spacer length. The results obtained highlight the benefit of accessing a more structurally diverse pool of compounds offered by dicationic ILs when compared to the parent monocationic ILs. In particular, gains are to be found in the ease of fine-tuning their properties, which translates in facilitating further investigations toward BDILs as designer solvents and catalysts.