Halide-Free Synthesis of Hydrochalcogenide Ionic Liquids of the Type [Cation][HE] (E=S, Se, Te).

We present the synthesis and thorough characterization of ionic liquids and organic salts based on hydrochalcogenide HE(-) (E=S, Se, Te) anions. Our approach is based on halide-, metal-, and water-free decarboxylation of methylcarbonate precursors under acidic conditions, resulting from the easily dissociating reagents H2 E. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, thermal and single-crystal XRD analyses. The hydrosulfide salts were investigated with respect to their ability to dissolve elemental sulfur in varying stoichiometry. Thus-prepared polysulfide ILs were also analyzed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.