Synthesis and physical properties of tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium dicyanamide ionic liquids

Tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium dialkylphosphate ionic liquids as lubricants

Six new tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium dialkylphosphate ionic liquids (ILs), [C₃(NR₂)₃]BEHP (NR₂ = NEt₂, NBuMe, NPr₂, NBu₂, NHex₂, NDec₂; BEHP = bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate), were prepared and characterised as potential lubricants. Thermophysical and thermochemical properties of these ILs were investigated, namely: viscosity, density, conductivity, miscibility, thermal stability and phase transitions. Miscibility studies indicated that [C₃(NEt₂)₃]BEHP would not be suitable due to its water solubility and hexane immiscibility. [C₃(NDec₂)₃]BEHP was not investigated as a lubricant due to its low purity (the chloride salt of this cation is also hexane miscible). Of the other four, [C₃(NHex₂)₃]BEHP was found to exhibit significantly less wear for pin-on-disk test conditions than the standard phosphonium [P_6,6,6,14]BEHP IL. The amount of wear was found to generally decrease with increasing molecular weight.

Crystal structure of N-butyl-2,3-bis-(di-cyclo-hexyl-amino)-cyclo-propeniminium chloride benzene monosolvate

N-Butyl-2,3-bis-(di-cyclo-hexyl-amino)-cyclo-propenimine (1) crystallizes from benzene and hexa-nes in the presence of HCl as a mono-benzene solvate of the hydro-chloride salt, [1H]Cl·C6H6 or C31H54N3 +·Cl-·C6H6, in the P21/n space group. The protonation of 1 results in the generation of an aromatic structure based upon the delocalization of the cyclo-propene double bond around the cyclo-propene ring, giving three inter-mediate C-C bond lengths of ∼1.41 Å, and the delocalization of the imine-type C-N double bond, giving three inter-mediate C-N bond lengths of ∼1.32 Å. Ion-ion and ion-benzene packing inter-actions are described and illustrated.

Highly-fluorinated Triaminocyclopropenium Ionic Liquids

A series of highly-fluorinated triaminocyclopropenium salts, with up to six fluorous groups, were prepared and their properties as ionic liquids investigated. Reaction of pentachlorocyclopropane or tetrachlorocyclopropene with bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amine, HN(CH2 CF3 )2 , occurs in the presence of a trialkylamine, NR3 , to give cations with two fluorinated amino groups, [C3 (N(CH2 CF3 )2 )2 (NR2 )]+ (R=Et, Pr, Bu, Hex), with traces of [C3 (N(CH2 CF3 )2 )3 ]+ . Use of appropriate reagent ratios and reaction times and subsequent addition of a dialkylamine, HNR'R", gives cations with one fluorinated amino group, [C3 (N(CH2 CF3 )2 )(NR2 )(NR'R")]+ ((NR2 )(NR'R")=(NBu2 )2 , (NEt2 )(NPr2 ), (NBu2 )(NBuMe)). These cations were isolated as chloride salts and some of these were converted to bistriflamide, dicyanamide and triflate salts to provide ionic liquids. These salts were characterised by thermal (DSC and TGA) measurements and miscibility/solubility properties (determined in a range of solvents). Ionic liquids (ILs) were also characterised by density, viscosity and conductivity measurements where possible. X-ray diffraction studies of chloride salts showed the formation of fluorous regions and more hydrophilic ionic regions in the solid state.

Recent advances in the organocatalytic applications of cyclopropene- and cyclopropenium-based small molecules

The development of novel small molecule-based catalysts for organic transformations has increased noticeably in the last two decades. A very recent addition to this particular research area is cyclopropene- and cyclopropenium-based catalysts. At one point in time, particularly in the mid-20^th century, much attention was focused on the structural aspects and physical properties of cyclopropene-based compounds. However, a paradigm shift was observed in the late 20^th century, and the focus shifted to the synthetic utility of these compounds. In fact, a wide range of cyclopropene derivatives have been found serving as valuable synthons for the construction of carbocycles, heterocycles and other useful organic compounds. In the last few years, the catalytic applications of cyclopropene/cyclopropenium-based compounds have been uncovered and many synthetic protocols have been developed using cyclopropene-based compounds as organocatalysts. Therefore, the main objective of this review is to highlight recent developments in the catalytic applications of cyclopropene-based small molecules in different areas of organocatalysis such as phase-transfer catalysis (PTC), Brønsted base catalysis, hydrogen-bond donor catalysis, nucleophilic carbene catalysis, and electrophotocatalysis developed within the past two decades.

Bis(amino)cyclopropenium Ion as a Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalyst for 1,6-Conjugate Addition Reactions

The catalytic application of the bis(amino)cyclopropenium ion has been investigated in conjugate addition reactions. The hydrogen atom, which is attached to the cyclopropene ring of bis(amino)cyclopropenium salts, is moderately acidic and can potentially serve as a hydrogen-bond donor catalyst in some organic transformations. This hypothesis has been successfully realized in the 1,6-conjugate addition reactions of p-quinone methides with various nucleophiles such as indole, 2-naphthol, thiols, phenols, and so forth. The spectroscopic studies (NMR and UV-vis) as well as the deuterium isotope labeling studies clearly revealed that the hydrogen atom (C-H) that is present in the cyclopropene ring of the catalyst is indeed solely responsible for catalyzing these transformations. In addition, these studies also strongly indicate that the C-H hydrogen of the cyclopropene ring activates the carbonyl group of the p-quinone methide through hydrogen bonding.

The influence of alkyl chain branching on the properties of pyrrolidinium-based ionic electrolytes

Ionic liquids and plastic crystals based on pyrrolidinium cations are recognised for their advantageous properties such as high conductivity, low viscosity, and good electrochemical and thermal stability. The pyrrolidinium ring can be substituted with symmetric or asymmetric alkyl chain substituents to form a range of ionic liquids or plastic crystals depending on the anion. However, reports into the use of branched alkyl chains and how this influences the material properties are limited. Here, we report the synthesis of six salts - ionic liquids and organic ionic plastic crystals - where the typically used linear propyl chain substituent is replaced by the branched alternative, isopropyl, to form the cation [C(i3)mpyr]+, in combination with six different anions: dicyanamide, (fluorosulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate. The thermal and transport properties of these salts are compared to those of the analogous N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium and N,N-diethylpyrrolidinium-based salts. Finally, a high lithium salt content ionic liquid electrolyte based on the bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide salt was developed. This electrolyte showed high coulombic efficiencies of lithium plating/stripping and high lithium ion transference number, making it a strong candidate for use in lithium metal batteries.

Self-Assembly of Aminocyclopropenium Salts: En Route to Deltic Ionic Liquid Crystals

Aminocyclopropenium ions have raised much attention as organocatalysts and redox active polymers. However, the self-assembly of amphiphilic aminocyclopropenium ions remains challenging. The first deltic ionic liquid crystals based on aminocyclopropenium ions have been developed. Differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction provided insight into the unique self-assembly and nanosegregation of these liquid crystals. While the combination of small headgroups with linear p-alkoxyphenyl units led to bilayer-type smectic mesophases, wedge-shaped units resulted in columnar mesophases. Upon increasing the size and polyphilicity of the aminocyclopropenium headgroup, a lamellar phase was formed.