Effects of methylation at position 2 of cation ring on rotational dynamics of imidazolium-based ionic liquids investigated by NMR spectroscopy: [C mim]Br vs [CCmim]Br

We investigated the rotational dynamics of two imidazolium-based ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Cmim]Br) and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bromide ([CCmim]Br), to reveal the effects of methylation at position 2 of the imidazolium ring (C(2) methylation). The rotational correlation time (τ) for each carbon in the cations is derived from the spin-lattice relaxation time of C nuclear magnetic resonance. The τ results obtained here provide three principle insights into the rotational dynamics of ionic liquids. First, all τ values for [CC mim]Br are greater than those for [Cmim]Br owing to a viscosity increase due to C(2) methylation. Second, the rate of change in τ on C(2) methylation differs among the carbons in the cation, which indicates that each carbon has a different microviscosity. Third, the τ increase in the C at the root of the butyl group on C(2) methylation is very small compared to both intuitive prediction and the results from quantum chemical calculations. This indicates that the motion of the butyl group root in [CCmim]Br is not significantly inhibited by the methyl group at the position 2 of the imidazolium ring. The finding provides conclusive information on the origin of the increases in the melting point on C(2) methylation. Hunt previously found through calculation that decreases in entropy are caused by two factors, namely, reductions in the rotational mobility of the butyl group and in the number of stable anion interaction sites with C(2) methylation, resulting in an increase in melting point and viscosity. Our finding experimentally illustrates that the origin of the increases in melting point is not the inhibition of butyl group motion and that the reduction in stable anion interaction sites plays a major role in the increases. Additionally, it is suggested that the viscosity increase on C(2) methylation can be interpreted in the same manner. © 2011 American Chemical Society.