Synthesis, characterization and properties of asymmetric methide anion based ionic liquids containing nitrile groups

A series of asymmetric methide anion based ionic liquids containing nitrile groups have been synthesized for the first time using the method of ion-exchange between sodium/potassium methide and various quaternary bromide/chloride salts of trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N-methylpyrrolidine, and N-methylimidazole. All of the functionalised ionic liquids were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The decomposition temperature of the ionic liquids measured via TGA ranged from 219 to 339 °C. The functionalised ionic liquid, [Bmim][C(CN)₂COCH₃], was used as a ligand for Suzuki coupling reaction. The yields of the coupling reaction increased 10%-15% by the addition of the functionalised ionic liquid, [Bmim][C(CN)₂COCH ₃].