Synthesis of 1,3-dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquids containing difunctional and tetrafunctional perfluoroalkylsulfonyl imide anions

Direct methylation of imidazole using methylated difunctional or tetrafunctional perfluorosulfonyl imides renders excellent yields of the corresponding room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). This methodology provides a simple, halide-free route to several novel RTILs containing multifunctional perfluorosulfonyl imide anions.