From volatility to solubility: Thermodynamics of imidazolium-based ionic liquids containing chloride and bromide anions

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) are effectively used for tuning the composition and the morphology of nanoparticles or stabilizing agents for nanoparticles for catalytic dehydrogenation. Thermodynamic properties of ionic liquids, e.g. vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies help optimise these processes. Vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies of the series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids with chloride and bromide anions have been measured by using quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM). Possible thermal decomposition pathways of [C2C1Im][Br] during vaporization were analyzed by using high-level quantum-chemical methods. These theoretical results explained and supported the absence of decomposition in QCM experimental conditions. According to the measured vapor pressures the [CnC1Im][Cl] and [CnC1Im][Br] series are very suitable for catalytic applications, taking also into account their sufficient thermal stability at the level of 523–543 K. Solubility parameters of ILs and practically relevant solutes were assessed with help of experimental vaporization enthalpies.