Flow chemistry: Imidazole-based ionic liquid syntheses in micro-scale

The quarternization of an N-atom in the 1-methyl-imidazole with different alkylating agents was investigated to form so-called Ionic Liquids. (3-Chloropropyl)-trimethoxysilane, 1-chlorobutane, diethyl sulfate and methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate were used as alkylating agents. Reaction kinetics range from very slow to instantaneous and the reaction heat from endothermal to extremely exothermal respectively. The reactions were performed under flow conditions using different types of microstructured reactors as well as pre-structurized reactants in the micro-scale. Unusual heat management with integrated heat pipes allow safer performing of highly exothermal reactions with comparably high throughput.