Determination of an Acidic Scale in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

Abstract

The acidity scale of different Brønsted acids in ionic liquids such as [BMIM][NTf2], [BMIM][BF4], and [BMMIM][BF4] has been investigated by determination of Hammett functions, using a spectrophotometric indicator method. This scale should permit one to correlate the acidity strength of ionic liquid systems with their ability to achieve acid-catalyzed reactions.