Synthesis of 1,3-dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquids containing difunctional and tetrafunctional perfluoroalkylsulfonyl imide anions

Direct methylation of imidazole using methylated difunctional or tetrafunctional perfluorosulfonyl imides renders excellent yields of the corresponding room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). This methodology provides a simple, halide-free route to several novel RTILs containing multifunctional perfluorosulfonyl imide anions.

Graphical abstractDirect synthesis of a difunctional RTIL.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Direct methylation of imidazole using methylated difunctional or tetrafunctional perfluorosulfonyl imides is used. ► Accords a halide-free path to ionic liquids using perfluoroalkylsulfonyl imide anions. ► Generates imidazolium cation and sulfonyl imide anion in same step.