Polyfluoroalkyl, polyethylene glycol, 1,4-bismethylenebenzene or 1,4-bismethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene bridged functionalized dicationic ionic liquids: Synthesis and properties as high temperature lubricants

A new class of geminal dicationic ionic liquids was formed with a bridging moiety, such as a polyalkyl ether, polyfluoroalkyl, 1,4-bismethylenebenzene, or 1,4-bismethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene link, between alkyl-substituted imidazolium rings. Their properties were modified by varying the linker chains and/or alkyl substituents on the imidazolium ring. The polyfluoroalkyl bridged dicationic ionic liquids exhibit the highest densities and viscosities. Although melting points are directly proportional to the length of the alkyl substituent, the densities decrease concomitantly. With 1,4-bismethylene-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene as the linking chain and with longer alkyl substituents on the imidazolium rings, the nonpolar character of the ionic liquid greatly increases, e.g., the solubilities in toluene of dicationic ionic liquids 36 and 37, where the ring substituents are C10H21 and C14H29, increase markedly. Some of the salts exhibit higher conductivities than an equimolar tetrabutylammonium iodide solution in acetonitrile/ toluene. These new ionic liquids (except with PF6- as anion) display outstanding tribological properties in temperature ramp tests by performing very well at 300 degrees C, thus meeting one criterion for high-temperature lubricants.