Alkylammonium-Based Protic Ionic Liquids Part I: Preparation and Physicochemical Characterization

Abstract

Novel alkylammonium-cation-based protic acid ionic liquids (PILs) were prepared through a simple and atom-economic neutralization reaction between an amine, such as diisopropylmethylamine, and diisopropylethylamine, and a Brønsted acid, HX, where X is HCOO-, CH 3COO-, or HF2-. The density, viscosity, acidic scale, electrochemical window, temperature dependency of ionic conductivity, and thermal properties of these PILs were measured and investigated in detail. Results show that protonated alkylammonium such as N-ethyldiisopropyl formate and N-methyldiisopropyl formate are liquid at room temperature and possess very low viscosities, that is, 18 and 24 cP, respectively, at 25 degrees C. An investigation of their thermal properties shows that they present a wide liquid range up to -100 degrees C and a heat thermal stability up to 350 degrees C. Alkylammonium-based PILs have a relatively low cost and low toxicity and show a high ionic conductivity (up a 8 mS cm(-1)) at room temperature. They have wide applicable perspectives for fuel cell devices, thermal transfer fluids, and acid-catalyzed reaction media and catalysts as replacements of conventional inorganic acids.