1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride is a highly efficient direct solvent for the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose. During the precipitation of the regenerated cellulose, large volumes of dilute IL aqueous solutions are produced. This compound, an imidazolium-based ionic liquid, is considered the representative emerging persistent aquatic pollutant, and its environmental toxicity has attracted growing concern[1].

cream-colored to yellow mass

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride in combination with aluminium chloride forms an organoaluminate molten salt, which can act as an acidic catalyst for the alkylation of isobutane with 2-butene.

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride can be used as a precursor for the preparation of other ionic liquids by anion metathesis.

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride is an imidazolium based ionic liquid.

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMImCl) was prepared according to a procedure available in the literature [26]. A solution of 1-chlorobutane (108 mmol) and 1-methylimidazole (108 mmol) in acetonitrile (60 mL) was refluxed for 48 h under inert atmosphere (Ar). Once cooled to room temperature, two layers were observed. The upper layer was removed, and the lower one was extracted with ethyl acetate three times to remove unreacted starting materials. The remaining solvent from the ionic liquid was removed via a rotary evaporator, and the product was dried under a high vacuum at 50 °C for 24 h. BMImCl: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3CN) δ (ppm): 0.91 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.26–1.36 (m, 2H), 1.76–1.86 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 4.22 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.51 (m, 1H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 9.77 (s, 1H).

[1] Qi Lu and Dongbo Wang*. “1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride Affects Anaerobic Digestion through Altering Organics Transformation, Cell Viability, and Microbial Community.” Environmental Science and Technology 57 8 (2023): 3145–3155.
[2] Brunetti, B. et al. “Evaporation/Decomposition Behavior of 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride (BMImCL) Investigated through Effusion and Thermal Analysis Techniques.” 2023. 0.