Structure-Property Relations in Ionic Liquids: 1,2,3-Trimethyl-imidazolium and 1,2,3-Trimethyl-benzimidazolium bis-(trifluorsulfonyl)imide

Vaporization enthalpies for a pairs of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1,2,3-trimethyl-imidazolium and 1,2,3-trimethyl-benzimidazolium bistrifluorsulfonylimide and the corresponding molecular liquids 1,2-dimethyl-imidazole and 1,2-dimethyl-benzimidazole were determined using a quartz crystal microbalance method and TGA (for ILs) and the transpiration method (for molecular compounds). Differences in vaporization enthalpies in molecular and ionic liquids are discussed in context of structure-property relations.

An adaptive self-healing ionic liquid nanocomposite membrane for olefin-paraffin separations

An adaptive self-healing ionic liquid nanocomposite membrane comprising a multi-layer support structure hosting the ionic salt [Ag](+) [Tf(2) N](-) is used for the separation of the olefin propylene and the paraffin propane. The ionic salt renders liquid like upon complexation with propylene, resulting in facilitated transport of propylene over propane at benchmark-setting selectivity and permeance levels. The contacting with acetylene causes the ionic salt to liquefy without showing evidence of forming explosive silver acetylide.

Preparation and characterization of ultrathin [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 and [BMIM][Tf2N] films on Al2O3/NiAl(110) under UHV conditions

Towards a better understanding of the interface chemistry of ionic liquid (IL) thin film catalytic systems we have applied a rigorous surface science model approach. For the first time, a model homogeneous catalyst has been prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The catalyst, di-μ-chlorobis(chlorotricarbonylruthenium) [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2), and the solvent, the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM][Tf(2)N], have been deposited by physical vapor deposition onto an alumina model support [Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110)]. First, the interaction between thin films of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) and the support is investigated. Then, the ruthenium complex is co-deposited with the IL and the influence of the solvent on the catalyst is discussed. D(2)O, which is a model reactant, is further added. Growth, surface interactions, and mutual interactions in the thin films are studied with IRAS in combination with density functional (DFT) calculations. At 105 K, molecular adsorption of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) is observed on Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110). The IRAS spectra of the binary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] and ternary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] + D(2)O show every characteristic band of the individual components. Above 223 K, partial decomposition of the ruthenium complex leads to species of molecular nature attributed to Ru(CO) and Ru(CO)(2) surface species. Formation of metallic ruthenium clusters occurs above 300 K and the model catalyst decomposes further at higher temperatures. Neither the presence of the IL nor of D(2)O prevents this partial decomposition of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) on alumina.

Attenuated total reflection infrared difference spectroscopy (ATR-IRDS) for quantitative reaction monitoring

Monitoring of chemical reactors is key to optimizing yield and efficiency of chemical transformation processes. Aside from tracking pressure and temperature, the measurement of the chemical composition is essential in this context. We present an infrared difference spectroscopy approach for determining the reactant (cyclooctene) and product (cyclooctane) concentrations during a catalytic hydrogenation reaction in the solvent cyclohexane, which is present in large excess. Subtracting the spectrum of the pure solvent from the reactor mixture spectra yields infrared (IR) spectra, which can ultimately be evaluated using a curve-fitting procedure based on spectral soft modeling. An important feature of our evaluation approach is that the calibration only requires recording the pure component spectra of the reactants, products, and solvent. Hence, no time-consuming preparation of mixtures for calibration is necessary. The IR concentration results are in good agreement with gas chromatography measurements.

A convenient method to access long-chain and functionalised mixed methylphosphonate esters and their application in the synthesis of ionic liquids

A new method to synthesise long-chain and functionalised methylphosphonate esters and the corresponding ionic liquids is reported. The synthesis comprises the formation of dialkyl methylphosphonate esters in a S(N)2 reaction followed by the use of these esters as alkylating agents to form the corresponding, new alkyl methylphosphonate ILs.