Effect of Dimethyl Carbonate on the Dynamic Properties and Ionicities of Ionic Liquids with [MIII(hfip)4]−(M=B, Al) Anions

Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate

While perfluorinated aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy aluminum species are well-established as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs), corresponding perfluoroalkyl aluminum derivatives are virtually unknown. Reaction of Si(C2 F5 )3 CH3 with Li[AlH4 ] afforded the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate, [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- . Several salts of the [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- ion were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction studies and elemental analysis.

Taming the Cationic Beast: Novel Developments in the Synthesis and Application of Weakly Coordinating Anions

This Review gives a comprehensive overview of the most topical weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) and contains information on WCA design, stability, and applications. As an update to the 2004 review, developments in common classes of WCA are included. Methods for the incorporation of WCAs into a given system are discussed and advice given on how to best choose a method for the introduction of a particular WCA. A series of starting materials for a large number of WCA precursors and references are tabulated as a useful resource when looking for procedures to prepare WCAs. Furthermore, a collection of scales that allow the performance of a WCA, or its underlying Lewis acid, to be judged is collated with some advice on how to use them. The examples chosen to illustrate WCA developments are taken from a broad selection of topics where WCAs play a role. In addition a section focusing on transition metal and catalysis applications as well as supporting electrolytes is also included.

Ionic Liquids with Weakly Coordinating [M(III)(OR(F))4](-) Anions

Ionic liquids (ILs) are defined as salts with melting points below 100 °C. They attracted much attention in the last two decades due to their unique set of properties, including high conductivities, low viscosities, negligible vapor pressure, and high electrochemical resistance. ILs are seen as tunable systems, of which (also in mixtures) up to 10(19) combinations may exist. These properties make ILs interesting candidates for a variety of fundamental to industrial applications. Our addition to this field was weakly coordinating, little interacting anions, the highly fluorinated aluminates [Al(OR(F))4](-) (R(F) = C(CF3)3, C(CH3), (CF3)2, and CH(CF3)2 and later also CH2(CF3)). We have used these anions in a broad spectrum of applications, including the stabilization of reactive cations, (polymerization) catalysis, and conducting salts for cyclic voltammetry or in electrochemical cells. Especially the [Al(Ohfip)4](-) (hfip = CH(CF3)2) anions in combination with asymmetric organic cations turned out to be very well suited for the synthesis of ILs with very low melting points, some even far below 0 °C. Also the analogous borates, [B(OR(F))4](-), were shown to yield ILs, and currently a plethora of such aluminate and borate ILs have been synthesized and thoroughly investigated. In many aspects, at least the [Al(Ohfip)4](-) ILs present almost ideally noninteracting prototype ILs with (nearly) isotropic but weak and flat Coulomb potential. Consequently, their overall interionic interactions are significantly reduced compared with other classes of ILs, resulting in an extraordinarily low degree, or (for short cation chain lengths below six) even complete absence of ion pairing. From thorough analysis of the principles governing the physical properties of this highly fluorinated IL class with minimized interactions, we were able to learn basic principles that could be extended, for example, to the prediction of the principal properties of a wide variety of typical ILs. In this Account, we give a comprehensive review of their syntheses, thermal and toxicological behavior, physical as well as dynamic properties, and use in electrochemical applications. We delineate advantages and limitations of the [M(III)(OR(F))4](-) ILs developed in our lab and give an outlook on those fields, in which there is still a lack of knowledge.