One-pot synthesis of symmetric imidazolium ionic liquids ,-disubstituted with long alkyl chains.

The Debus-Radziszewski imidazole synthesis was adapted to directly yield long-chain imidazolium ionic liquids. Imidazolium acetate ionic liquids with side-chains up to sixteen carbon atoms were synthesised in excellent yields an on-water, one-pot reaction. The imidazolium acetate ILs acted as surfactants when dissolved in various solvents. The imidazolium acetate ionic liquids were also derivatised an acid metathesis to the chloride, nitrate, and hydrogen oxalate derivatives. The thermal behaviour of all the ionic liquids was determined thermogravimetric and calorimetric analysis.