Preparation of ionic liquids bearing o-carborane anion via N,N′-dialkylimidazol-2-ylidene carbene

In the present study, a novel ionic liquid including o-carborane anion was prepared. After the carbene formation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium halide ([EMIm]+[X]−) by reaction with n-BuLi, the subsequent reaction with o-carborane afforded the desired ionic liquid in moderate yields. The structure of the ionic liquid was supported by 1H NMR and 11B NMR spectra.

Graphical abstractNovel ionic liquids including a carborane anion were successfully prepared via reaction of N,N′-dialkylimidazol-2-ylidene carbene with o-carborane. One of the obtained ionic liquids showed relatively low melting point of 30.4 °C. The ionic conductivity of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium type ionic liquid was found to be 2.9 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 51 °C.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide