Ionic liquids: Liquid structure

The objective of this paper is the elaboration of liquid structure model for ionic liquids (IL) with cation:anion ratio 1:1. Described model consists of ionic and alkyl domains. The ionic domain is neutral. It has octupole structure: 4 cations and 4 anions are distributed in cube vertexes. The alkyl domains are formed by alkyl chains of cations. Elaborated model explains properties of IL: low melting points, hygroscopicity (including hydrophobic IL), and viscosity.

► Domain liquid structure model for IL is elaborated. ► Ionic domains have octupole structure. ► Model corresponds to IL properties. ► Model agrees with contemporary pseudolattice theory of ionic solutions.