Thermal stability of ionic liquid BMI(BF4) in the presence of nucleophiles

We have found that a common ionic liquid––one containing a N-N′-dialkylimidazolium cation––decomposes in the presence of nucleophiles at much lower temperatures than previously believed. The decomposition occurs through SN2 attack of the nucleophile on the electrophilic alkyl groups attached to the imidazolium ring.