Physical Properties and Intermolecular Dynamics of an Ionic Liquid Compared with Its Isoelectronic Neutral Binary Solution

Abstract

In this study, we address the following question about room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). Are the properties of a RTIL more dependent on the charges of the molecular ions or on the fact that the liquid is a complex mixture of two species, one or both of which are asymmetric? To address this question and to better understand the interactions and dynamics in RTILs, we have prepared the organic ionic liquid 1-methoxyethylpyridinium dicyanoamide (MOEPy(+)/DCA(-)) and compared this RTIL with the analogous isoelectronic binary solution, comprised of equal parts of 1-methoxyethylbenzene (MOEBz) and dicyanomethane (DCM). In essence, we have created a RTIL and a nearly identical neutral pair in which we have effectively turned off the charges. To understand the intermolecular interactions in both of these liquids, we have characterized the bulk density and shear viscosity. Using femtosecond optical Kerr effect spectroscopy, we have also characterized the intermolecular vibrational dynamics and diffusive reorientation. To verify that the shape, polarizability, and electronic structure of the RTIL ions and the components of the neutral pair are truly quite similar, we have carried out density functional theory calculations on the individual molecular ion and neutral species.