Does alkyl chain unsaturation affect tunability of the aryl alkyl imidazolium‐based ion pairs?

Abstract

AbstractThree series of functionalized ion pairs composed of ethyl phenyl imidazolium [PhIM(C2H5)]+, (vinyl) ethenyl phenyl imidazolium [PhIM(C2H3)]+and ethynyl phenyl imidazolium [PhIM(C2H)]+cations and acetate ([Y1]−), nitrate ([Y2]−), tetrafluoroborate ([Y3]−) and perchlorate ([Y4]−) anions were designed and their physical and chemical properties were analyzed at M06‐2X‐GD3/AUG‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. The effect of alkyl chain unsaturation on structural characteristics, energetic parameters, electronic and topological properties, and the global reactivity parameters and also on some physical and chemical properties such as dipole moment, melting point, and electrochemical window of the introduced IPs was discussed. Based on electrochemical window values, the studied IPs including alkyl chain unsaturation in the cation and [Y1‐2]−anions have no suitable electrochemical stability for use in electrochemical devices.