Determination of Mg²⁺ Speciation in a TFSI^–-Based Ionic Liquid With and Without Chelating Ethers Using Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy was employed to assess the complex environment of magnesium salts in the n-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyrTFSI) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). At room temperature, Mg(TFSI)2 was miscible with BMPyrTFSI and formulated by [Mg(TFSI)2](x)[BMPyrTFSI](1-x) (x ≤ 0.55). Results suggest that at low concentrations of Mg(TFSI)2, anionic complexes in which Mg(2+) is surrounded by at least four TFSI(-) were formed. Above x = 0.2 an average of three TFSI(-) surround each Mg(2+). Below x = 0.12, there is a greater number of monodentate interactions between TFSI(-) oxygens and Mg(2+) cations, whereas above x = 0.12 bidentate ligands dominate. The fraction of TFSI(-) existing in the cis conformation increased with increasing Mg(2+) concentration. Mg(ClO4)2 was also studied as a Mg(2+) source. At equivalent mole fractions to those of the Mg(TFSI)2 salt, Mg(2+) from Mg(ClO4)2 was surrounded by only two TFSI(-) anions as ClO4(-) appeared to compete with TFSI(-) for coordination with Mg(2+). Similar behavior was also observed for the less soluble halide salts MgX2 (X = Cl, Br, I). Additions of chelating ligands were shown to effectively reduce the average number of TFSI(-) around Mg(2+) in a manner consistent with maintaining a sixfold oxygen coordination number around Mg(2+). Furthermore, an alternative class of ionic liquids, known as "solvate" ionic liquids, were produced. In this case glymes (Gm, m + 1 ether oxygens) were mixed with Mg(TFSI)2 so that glymes chelated Mg(2+), creating Mg(Gm)(y)(2+) complexes. The general formula was given by Mg(Gm)(y)(TFSI)2. These solvate ILs melt between 40 and 80 °C. Raman spectra clearly showed the glyme chelating ability and stronger coordination with Mg(2+) with respect to TFSI(-). Finally, linear sweep voltammograms showed the anodic stability of the glymes to improve due to coordination with Mg(2+).