Synthesis of Alkylated 1‐Aryl‐4,5‐Dimethylimidazolium‐Based Tunable Aryl Alkyl Ionic Liquids (TAAILs)

Imidazolium‐based ionic liquids are one of the most important classes of ionic liquids due to their low viscosity and multitude of possible modifications. The properties of imidazolium‐based ionic liquids are strongly influenced by their hydrogen bond interactions, especially due to the hydrogen atoms at the core of the imidazolium cation. Herein, a new class of tunable aryl alkyl ionic liquids based on 2‐alkyl‐1‐aryl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazoles is presented, which do not possess hydrogen atoms directly bound to the imidazolium core. They are synthesized by deprotonation of the corresponding imidazoles, avoiding the need to rebuild the imidazolium motif. Electron donating substituents at the aryl ring allow for the deprotonation at the C2‐position of the imidazole ring. All ionic liquids are fully characterized ( 1 H, 13 C, 19 F‐NMR, EA) and their physical properties, including their viscosity, conductivity, and electrochemical stability, are examined.