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International audience; The aim of this work is to provide a better understanding of the interface between graphite and different molecular and ionic liquids. Experimental measurements of the liquid surface tension and of the graphite-liquid contact angle for sixteen ionic liquids and three molecular liquids are reported. These experimental values allowed the calculation of the solid/liquid interfacial energy that varies, for the ionic liquids studied, between 14.5 mN m−1 for 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide and 37.8 mN m−1 for 3-dodecyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate. Imidazolium-based ionic liquids with large alkyl side-chains or functionalized with benzyl groups seem to interact more favourably with freshly peeled graphite surfaces. Even if the interfacial energy seems a good descriptor to assess the affinity of a liquid for a carbon-based solid material, we conclude that both the surface tension of the liquid and the contact angle between the liquid and the solid can be significant. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the ordering of the ions near the graphite surface. We conclude that the presence of large alkyl side-chains in the cations increases the ordering of ions at the graphite surface. Benzyl functional groups in the cations lead to a large affinity towards the graphite surface.

We present an efficient Ullmann-type synthesis methodology enabling the preparation of imidazolium compounds with an extended aromatic core in three steps. This procedure begins with a microwave-assisted, heterogeneously catalysed cross-coupling reaction in the presence of Cu(II)-doped NaY zeolite to obtain imidazole-aromatic derivatives directly in good yield. The innovation is that this reaction does not require solvent, ligand or an inert atmosphere. Subsequently, these derivatives have been alkylated with bromoalkanes and the bromide of the imidazolium products exchanged for [BF4]− or [PF6]− anions. We have studied the influence of the methyl group (inductive effect) on the aromatic unit during the coupling reaction as well as its impact on different arrangements in the crystalline state. We have been able to extend this synthesis to ionic liquid crystal compounds which display lamellar self-organization (smectic A). The mesomorphic behavior and phase transition temperatures were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

We describe the proficient synthesis and thermotropic mesomorphicity of thioether–functionalized imidazolium–type ionic liquids containing C12 and C18 chains associated with Br− and OTf− anions. The mesomorphic behavior and phase transition temperatures were studied by Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). The ionic liquids with bromide anion display Smectic A lamellar phase giving homeotropic and fan-shaped textures. The layered crystallographic structure is reported by Single-Crystal XRD. The electrochemical characteristics of the ionic liquids with C18 side chain have been determined via Cyclic Voltammetry.

Ionic liquid Crystals constitute highly versatile materials that have drawn much interest these past few years in the fields of academic research and industrial development. In this respect, the present article is intended as an update of K. Binnemans review published in 2005, but focusing exclusively on the imidazolium cation - the most widely studied. Herein, imidazolium-containing thermotropic liquid crystalline materials will be sorted by molecular structure (mono-, bis-, poly-imidazolium compounds, with symmetrical and non-symmetrical structures) and discussed. Their physico-chemical properties will be exposed in order to adduce the relevancy and potential of the imidazolium platform in various fields of research.

A smectogenic 1,3-bis(4-decyloxyphenyl)-3H-imidazol-1-ium trifluoromethane sulfonates (1) was studied on the drift mobility of carriers by a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) technique. The transient photocurrent decay curves were clearly observed for the positive electrode illumination and the transit times could be detected to indicate the mobility in the smectic A (SmA) phase is on the order of 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. This carrier mobility is too fast if it is a reflection of ionic transport in this system and is more easily explained on the basis of electronic charge hopping process.

Functional hybrid materials on the basis of inorganic hosts and ionic liquids (ILs) as guests hold promise for a virtually unlimited number of applications. In particular, the interaction and the combination of properties of a defined inorganic matrix and a specific IL could lead to synergistic effects in property selection and tuning. Such hybrid materials, generally termed ionogels, are thus an emerging topic in hybrid materials research. The current article addresses some of the recent developments and focuses on the question why silica is currently the dominating matrix used for (inorganic) ionogel fabrication. In comparison to silica, matrix materials such as layered simple hydroxides, layered double hydroxides, clay-type substances, magnetic or catalytically active solids, and many other compounds could be much more interesting because they themselves may carry useful functionalities, which could also be exploited for multifunctional hybrid materials synthesis. The current article combines experimental results with some arguments as to how new, advanced functional hybrid materials can be generated and which obstacles will need to be overcome to successfully achieve the synthesis of a desired target material.

An efficient, solvent free method for the N-arylation of imidazole by 1-(dodecyloxy)-4-iodobenzene using Cu(II)-NaY as catalyst and K2CO3 as base is reported. By this synthetic approach, mesomorphic 3-[4-(dodecyloxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium iodide was synthesized in a two-step procedure, and its mesomorphism has been fully investigated by polarised optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. In addition its lamellar crystal structure, electrochemical behaviour and UV (absorption and emission) properties are reported.

Wenowpresentastrategyforamoreversatileexploita-tionofliquid-crystaltemplateeffects,whichisillustratedbythe electrolysis of imidazolium liquid crystals containingdicyanoargentate(I)anddicyanoaurate(I)anionstoproducesilverandgoldnanoparticles.Thekeytothisapproachisthecouplingoftheself-organizationoftheimidazoliummetallatetotheuseofelectrochemicalreduction,thelatterprovidingthe means to control the particle size and form of theelectrodeposited metals by variation of parameters such asthepotentialandthecurrentdensity.Many mesomorphic imidazolium salts can be readilypreparedbysimplemetathesisreactionsinvolvingprecipita-tion from aqueous solutions containing the appropriateanions. In investigating this chemistry, we sought to useanionsincorporatingtransitionmetalstoendowtheproductswith properties such as redox activity and variable conduc-tivity.Thus,wehavesynthesizeddicyanoargentate(I)(1)anddicyanoaurate(I)(2)derivativesof3-(4-dodecyloxybenzyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazolium in good yield(over 80%) from thebromidestartingmaterial(Scheme1).

The new ionic liquid crystal 1-(4-dodecyloxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide has been synthesized and its X-ray structure obtained; various salts containing BF4−, SCN−, PF6−, CF3SO3−, (CF3SO2)2N− have been prepared by anion metathesis in water from bromide species as starting materials, and finally, the mesomorphism and electrochemical behavior have been investigated.

Ionic liquids based on imidazolium are an excellent platform that can be designed to promote liquid crystalline phases. In order to introduce additional properties, we synthesized compounds with a rigid expanded core. Herein, we reported an Ullmann-type coupling using only Cu(II)-NaY as catalyst and potassium carbonate as base. This synthetic approach avoids the use of solvents, inert atmosphere and ligands. We have optimized this coupling using the technique of microwave synthesis (reduction of reaction time and by-products formed). After studying this methodology, we have extended it to other behaviors. Thus we have synthesized ionic materials (scintillators) with properties of detection and discrimination of radiation neutrons/gamma by introducing chromophores in our compounds. This Ullmann-type coupling has allowed to prepare compounds that can have electronic properties (conduction and electrochromism).; Les liquides ioniques à base d’imidazolium présentent une plateforme architecturale unique aisément fonctionnalisable permettant de préparer des matériaux ioniques avec des propriétés mésomorphes. Dans le but d’introduire des propriétés supplémentaires, nous avons élaboré des composés à coeur rigide étendu. La stratégie de synthèse adoptée passe par un couplage de type Ullmann. Nous avons développé une méthodologie nécessitant uniquement du Cuivre (II) supporté sur zéolithe (Na-Y) et du carbonate de potassium. Cette approche a pour avantage d’éviter l’utilisation de solvant, d’atmosphère inerte et de ligands. Ce couplage a été optimisé en utilisant la technique de synthèse en micro-ondes (réduction du temps de réaction, diminution des sous-produits formés). Après avoir étudié cette méthodologie, nous l’avons étendu à d’autres propriétés notamment à des matériaux (scintillateurs) présentant des propriétés de détection et de discrimination des rayonnements neutrons/gamma en introduisant des chromophores au sein de nos composés. Le couplage de type Ullmann utilisé a également permis d’élaborer des composés pouvant présenter des propriétés électroniques (conduction et électrochromisme).