Abstract
The hypothetical assertion that there are potentially millions of ionic liquids (ILs) can be validated using basic knowledge of IL precursors and simple calculations. While it is an interesting thought exercise to ponder the possibilities of ILs, it is important to investigate how many discrete ILs (i.e., unique cation and anion pairings) have actually been synthesized and reported in the literature. A complete analysis of all ILs is a daunting task, especially if the definition of what constitutes an IL is broad. Nonetheless, insight can be gained into the use of ILs over the past ∼20 years from a focused analysis of systematically varied 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ILs (i.e., [R1R2im][X], where R1 and R2 are n-alkyl chains and X is either a halide or molecular anion). This family of ILs includes many of the most widely used and most thoroughly studied IL substances, including 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4mim][PF6]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bistriflimide ([C2mim][Tf2N]). Us...
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