1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide: An In-Depth Look
Historical Development
Chemists have always searched for smarter solvents and reaction media, balancing safety, stability, and performance. The discovery of ionic liquids shook things up. Among these newcomers, 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide carved a niche through academic labs in the late 20th century, fitting into the puzzle during the ionic liquid revolution. Researchers uncovered its potential as a room-temperature, non-volatile alternative to volatile organic solvents. Once scientists realized it formed through a simple alkylation from imidazole, its adoption picked up steam. Over time, tweaks in its synthesis and handling led to purer samples and more reliable outcomes. Companies soon followed university breakthroughs, scaling up processes and seeding further downstream applications for engineers and scientists.
Product Overview
Every bottle labeled as 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide arrives almost crystalline or as a powder, with a faint hue sometimes visible. Chemists spot it under trade names or abbreviations like [DMIM][I]. This product attracts attention for its electrical properties, thermal resilience, and high solubility in water and many polar organics. I have seen it dissolve stubborn reagents others could not, letting reactions run super-smooth. Because it bears a positive charge locked in by its imidazolium structure and the heft of iodide, it stands out among simple salts. Suppliers print purity, lot number, and handling recommendations on the label for clear traceability.
Physical & Chemical Properties
The white or off-white powder gives away little of its true power. Once you grasp a scoop, you notice the dense, slick feeling between gloved fingers. It melts in the 150-160 °C range, offering a stable working window for many experiments. Its high ionic conductivity appears when mixed in solution, making it a darling for battery experiments and electrochemical applications. Water grabs onto it, but it also keeps its own, rarely breaking down under UV or moderate heat. Its imidazole core stands strong across a variety of reaction conditions—whether in acids or bases, it doesn’t let go of those methyl groups easily. For reactivity, this salt’s combination of stable cation and reactive iodide paves the way for many pairing options.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Purchasers expect the fine details written out. Labels list molecular formula C5H9IN2, molecular weight 224.05 g/mol, CAS: 61626-98-0. Most producers strive for 98% or better chemical purity, free-flowing powder, and absence of visible contamination. Labels highlight necessary warnings because the iodide part discolors quickly if left open to air. Seal integrity, batch codes, and storage temperatures keep professionals assured they’re working with authentic material. Deviation from these technical touchstones puts both research outcomes and safety on the line, so attention to these numbers is not just best practice—it’s essential.
Preparation Method
Experts prefer simple, scalable routes. Synthesis often starts with imidazole and methyl iodide, running in a polar solvent like acetone under controlled cooling, agitation, and time. As soon as you add methyl iodide, heat stirs up, so careful temperature control prevents runaway byproducts. After the stir and subsequent aging, the reaction mixture gets washed and sometimes recrystallized to get rid of trace color and byproducts. Filtering, drying under vacuum, and packing under inert atmosphere all tie in to boost shelf life and purity. By tweaking the order of reagent addition or solvent choice, chemists minimize side reactions. I’ve watched these choices slash cost and waste in real-world work.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
As a stable salt with a soft, reactive iodide, this material finds itself swapped into all kinds of transformations. Its ionic structure tunes reactivity in Suzuki cross-couplings, alkylations, and as a phase transfer catalyst. Swapping the iodide for other anions broadens its use even further; it can be morphed into tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, or other imidazolium salts through simple metathesis. With the right tweaks, researchers push the molecule into coordination chemistry or bind it into polymers, changing viscosity and other bulk properties. I’ve seen a mixture with this salt ramp up electrocatalytic yields in organic syntheses, proving how minor changes in chemical environment can ripple through a system.
Synonyms & Product Names
The long name can get in the way, so lab notes and catalogs often cite [DMIM][I], 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide, and dimethylimidazolium iodide. Older texts sometimes use N,N’-Dimethylimidazolium iodide, which blurs into ambiguity near methyl-substituted imidazoles. Search engines and databases catch most of these, but inconsistency can blur lines in older publications.
Safety & Operational Standards
Care pays off, especially with materials boasting high reactivity. Iodide salts pose risks when mixed with oxidizers, so those top-shelf storage rules apply. Nitrile gloves, splash-resistant goggles, and fume hoods form the everyday shield to minimize skin contact and inhalation. Spills seem grossly sticky and demand quick cleanup as this material absorbs water and pulls in dirt. Safety data points out the need to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking anywhere near labs where this gets handled. Training labs to decontaminate and dispose of even trace residues lessens environmental impact. The material shouldn’t sit out on the bench overnight; capped tight, cool, and dry storage keeps it stable.
Application Area
Organic synthesis labs, electrochemical engineering, and materials science platforms put this ionic liquid front and center. Electrochemists prize it for supporting ionic conductivity in prototype batteries and fuel cells, while photochemists introduce it in perovskite solar cells to boost charge mobility. It excels at dissolving tricky organic or inorganic compounds—sometimes performing where regular solvents give up. In some environmental processes, it acts as a non-volatile reaction medium, eliminating the risk of flammable vapors. I have watched teams swap corrosive acids for this salt to achieve cleaner results in wastewater treatment studies. The pharmaceutical world eyes it for biocatalyst development and peptide synthesis, due to both its solvating power and low vapor pressure.
Research & Development
Research interest constantly evolves. Investigation into renewable energy keeps this salt in the spotlight, particularly as scientists hunt for alternatives to lithium-based batteries and high-performing electrolytes. Teams across continents test variations, replacing iodide with other anions or shifting substituents around the imidazole ring, searching for performance jumps in conductivity and stability. Grants and publication rates suggest a steady march toward broader application in green chemistry. I have met postdocs whose main project involved stabilizing enzymes in solution with this ionic liquid, hoping to unlock enzyme catalysis for pharmaceutical syntheses. Its unique properties make it hot property for those searching to lower energy costs and improve recyclability in industrial process design.
Toxicity Research
Even though imidazolium salts often rate as less volatile compared to their organic solvent cousins, that does not mean risk-free use. Studies point to moderate to low acute toxicity; chronic exposure data tell more about possible irritation, organ stress, and potential bioaccumulation with repeated contact. Recent papers examine both aquatic and mammalian models to determine exclusion thresholds and guide waste handling. Labs switching to ionic backgrounds like this salt need training around hygiene and technical waste disposal—not just to avoid fines and regulatory headaches, but as a matter of professional responsibility. Every new study adds another point on the risk-benefit curve.
Future Prospects
Sustainability calls for change, pushing industrial and academic users to reimagine process chemistry. The promising stability, electrical properties, and green potential of 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide point to roles in next-generation fuel cells, sensors, and electrochemical devices. Companies working on solid-state battery tech and scalable flow batteries already roll out trial runs using this chemistry. Its role will likely expand, especially as industries pivot away from volatile organic solvents and toward cost-effective, reusable ionic mediators. Challenges remain in scaling, purification, and end-of-life management, but these obstacles push engineers and scientists to find new answers. In my experience, the most interesting applications of chemical innovation emerge where sharp minds gather around a stable, versatile building block—exactly the role this salt fills as development marches forward.
Taking a Closer Look at the Chemical
1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide sounds unfamiliar to most, yet lots of chemists and engineers know its value on the lab bench and on the production line. This salt, often regarded as an ionic liquid, has been showing up in places where clever chemistry shapes modern technology. The rise of new-generation solar and energy storage devices links closely to the way this compound behaves.
Fueling Progress in Solar Technology
Scientific journals often mention 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide in the same breath as perovskite solar cells. The secret lies in its ability to stabilize these cells, especially when sunlight, humidity, or heat threaten to break them down. A team from Sweden improved perovskite-based panels by including this compound in the electrolyte mixture, boosting energy conversion efficiency beyond 20%. Fewer performance losses over time translate into more reliable solar panel operation and growing trust in clean energy.
Most traditional solar materials struggle to survive harsh outdoor conditions. Chemical additives like 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide bind ions more tightly in perovskite films, fighting the breakdown that would sap power output. Fewer ion defects and longer lifespan for these devices give investors and homeowners more confidence that their solar investment returns will keep up with claims. Millions of homeowners worldwide now hesitate to upgrade their rooftops if panels decline after a few years, so stabilizers like this one can shift the balance.
Boosting Batteries and Next-Gen Capacitors
Lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors both benefit from carefully chosen ionic liquids. Researchers have pointed out that 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide doesn’t just transport ions; it also resists overheating and chemical breakdown. This means a battery with this additive keeps cranking out steady power through dozens of charge cycles rather than losing capacity after a few days of real-world use.
Safety in batteries takes the spotlight every news cycle. Exploding laptops, e-bikes with smoking packs, grid-scale fires—they all trace back to poorly chosen electrolytes that break down too fast. Non-flammable, chemically robust ionic liquids offer solutions. The 1,3-dimethylimidazolium family is less prone to catching fire under normal conditions, so engineers can bank on safer devices.
Green Chemistry and Catalysis
Lab experiments aiming for less waste take advantage of this chemical’s unique characteristics. Ionic liquids like this one don’t evaporate under normal pressure, which cuts down on toxic fumes. Solvents and additives that hang around in the laboratory air can pollute, sometimes make simple chemistry risky work. Here’s where 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide really fits—in reactions where scientists want smooth mixing without toxic clouds. Chemists at universities in China and Germany publish new ways to recover valuable chemicals with fewer petroleum-based solvents, thanks in part to this salt.
Steps Toward Larger Scale Solutions
New technology can stumble in the jump from lab to factory. The price and long-term safety of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide still invite debate. Careful industry standards keep contaminants out, and strict lab protocols prevent overexposure. Growing demand for solar, greener manufacturing, and advanced storage pushes more experts to test and report on alternatives, giving a clearer sense of risks and trade-offs.
My own time in a college research group showed how one ingredient could flip an entire experiment’s outcome. The push for smarter energy runs through specialty chemicals that most of the world never sees up close. By building on these small advances, industry and research bring us closer to a reliable, greener future.
The Numbers Matter
Anyone working in the lab or just dipping a toe into chemistry circles knows counting atoms and doing the math can change everything. Take 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide. People who build their investigations on this compound tend to bring up its unique properties, but only in the last decade or so has its practicality gotten much attention. It's always the basics that ground research, though. You can’t run far without knowing its molecular weight.
Simple Addition Brings the Answer
Jumping to the numbers, 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide shows up with the structure C5H9N2I. Its molecular weight adds up like this: Carbon at 12.01 g/mol, Hydrogen at 1.01 g/mol, Nitrogen at 14.01 g/mol, and Iodine at 126.90 g/mol. Collect these together:
- Five carbons: 5 x 12.01 = 60.05
- Nine hydrogens: 9 x 1.01 = 9.09
- Two nitrogens: 2 x 14.01 = 28.02
- One iodine: 1 x 126.90 = 126.90
Why This Numbers Game is More Than Trivia
Some might shrug and move on, but cracking precise measurements makes or breaks a decent lab experiment. I remember sitting at a bench, trying to troubleshoot why a reaction just stopped working out of the blue. Turned out, someone misread the label and used a slightly different imidazolium salt that was nearly identical. We wasted hours recalibrating, chasing a mystery that boiled down to a math error. Chemicals don’t care about intentions or how late it is; they take their ratios seriously.
A mistake on molecular weight throws off concentrations, stoichiometry, and, eventually, your ability to replicate work. Reliable calculations keep everyone safe, both in terms of health and data quality. Molten salt synthesis, ionic liquids research, organic batteries — the accuracy of molecular weight works behind the scenes in all of them. If pharmaceutical teams get this wrong, doses look off. In materials science, incorrect measurements erode trust and stall innovation.
Stepping Forward with the Right Information
Checking sources before making a move stands as a lesson learned. Reliable databases—think PubChem or the CRC Handbook—give quick access to molecular weight and even offer structural confirmation. Using these regularly built my habit of checking twice, cutting down on mistakes and keeping protocols tight.
Clear labelling and peer verification also mean less time wasted cleaning up simple blunders. Digital inventories now flag discrepancies, making it easier to step in before an error snowballs. Training early-career researchers to appreciate basics like molecular weight bolsters the long game — supporting a culture that values verification and clarity every step of the way.
Supporting Better Science, Every Time
I keep coming back to the numbers not because chemistry boils down to math, but because every breakthrough rides on small details. The molecular weight of 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide — 224.06 g/mol — isn’t just trivia. It sits at the center of careful measurement, safer practices, and reproducible research. Backed by trustworthy reference sources and a mindset that values double-checking, science stays honest and ready for whatever comes next.
Moisture Grabs: The Core Concern
Work in a chemistry lab long enough and you notice some materials draw water from the air like magnets. 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide falls into this camp. This compound, part of the ionic liquid family, has a simple but remarkably effective structure that attracts moisture. Open a fresh bottle, and the telltale clumping or change in texture shows up shortly after. That’s not speculation—colleagues and I have watched this compound’s free-flowing nature vanish in a humid room. This trait matters because a hygroscopic substance can change its weight and purity out in the open air. Skipping strict storage procedures means tossing the accuracy of any subsequent experiments right out the window.
Why This Matters for Labs and Industry
It’s not simply about inconvenience. Using a moisture-sensitive compound for applications in organic synthesis, research, or solar cell development means accuracy hinges on controlling water content. Anyone working with it will testify that even a small amount of absorbed water can skew reaction yields or degrade device performance. For instance, in dye-sensitized solar cells, 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide serves as a crucial electrolyte, but even mild water uptake affects the cell's efficiency and lifetime. Data from several published studies back this up: researchers consistently note sensitivity to ambient humidity and warn against long-term storage outside a desiccator.
What Drives the Hygroscopic Nature?
The science comes down to the ionic nature of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide. Both the cation and iodide anion interact with polar water molecules. The imidazolium ring carries enough charge delocalization that water molecules get drawn in energetically rather than being simply repelled. That means once exposed to a standard room atmosphere, this chemical will start to absorb water rapidly. That effect becomes obvious if you weigh out some powder on an analytical balance and leave it for a few minutes; mass creeps up as water sneaks in.
Simple Solutions to a Sticky Problem
The best way to battle moisture uptake stays the same across most labs: keep hygroscopic chemicals sealed tight in dry containers or under an inert atmosphere. Desiccators, often filled with silica gel or other drying agents, form the first line of defense. I’ve learned to only open storage vessels right before use and re-seal them quickly. Others resort to handling under gloveboxes when purity matters most. Labeling clearly and retraining new lab members doesn’t hurt, either—one slip-up can contaminate an entire bottle.
Some producers supply higher purity lots stored under argon. Those who need rock-solid consistency, especially in scaled-up processes, often invest in climate-controlled storage rooms. That might sound costly, but losing batches to invisible moisture ends up far more expensive. Checking water content through Karl Fischer titration gives another safety check, confirming quality before using the compound in sensitive syntheses.
Possible Improvements Down the Road
Researchers look for alternatives to hygroscopic imidazolium salts, hoping to sidestep the whole issue. Recent publications suggest tweaks to the molecular structure or encapsulation of the iodide can help. But for now, careful storage and quick, organized handling remain the keys to reliable outcomes using 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide. There’s no substitute for good habits and clear communication in the lab or the production floor when moisture threatens to derail a process.
Why Storage Conditions Matter
Anyone who’s worked in a lab knows how unpredictable chemicals can be when stored carelessly. Even something that looks stable can break down in the wrong environment. 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide, often used in research for its ionic properties or as part of advanced battery and solar cell studies, brings its own quirks to storage. Its value makes proper handling more than a box to tick on a safety checklist. It’s about getting results you can actually trust and avoiding problems with purity, reactivity, or even safety that mess up weeks’ worth of effort.
Respect for Air and Moisture
From experience, ionic liquids like this one seem tough on paper. Still, even small amounts of water from humid air can make them clump, discolor, or react in ways no one planned. For 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide, dry air becomes a friend. Screw-top bottles with airtight seals cut off that path for moisture. Some labs toss a pack of desiccant inside the storage cabinet and keep the humidity below 40%. Silica gel or molecular sieves work well, especially if the room sees high traffic or regular opening of those chemical cabinets.
What Light Does to Chemicals
Even though this compound isn’t as photosensitive as certain dyes or pharmaceuticals, direct sunlight nudges many chemicals into new reactions or speeds up slow changes. Sunny windows and fluorescent bulb glare can push temperatures up, too. Most labs make a habit of using amber glass bottles or storing this iodide in dark drawers. For long-term storage, dim and cool spaces help the chemical stay the way it’s supposed to—fresh, clean white or off-white powder, not a sticky, discolored lump.
Temperature Controls and Shelf Placement
Heat speeds up unwanted changes. Temperatures climbing above 25°C encourage this iodide to degrade or form byproducts over time. I store it in rooms that hold steady between 15°C and 22°C, sometimes giving it a lower refrigerator shelf if someone expects to keep it for over a year. Freezing isn’t necessary, but hot and sweaty storerooms spell disaster. Even near a heater or on high shelves closer to the ceiling, the temperature can drift just enough to invite problems. Labeled cabinets away from radiators matter almost as much as using the right container.
Chemical Neighborhoods: Avoiding Trouble
This iodide doesn’t explode on contact with most other chemicals, yet storing it near acids, oxidizers, or strong bases never makes sense. Too many stories float around of vapor mixing in cramped cabinets, raising the odds for surprise smells or even small fires if someone makes a mistake. Taking a minute to organize shelves or double-check storage compatibility lists from Sigma-Aldrich or Merck dodges a lot of grief down the line.
Good Habits and Real Solutions
Investing in better airtight jars, tracking humidity with simple meters, and checking for clumps every couple of months saves more money and time than it costs. For anyone running a busy research schedule—or just trying to graduate—losing a critical chemical to avoidable breakdown is a headache no one misses. Sticking with best practices builds trust with results and with everyone who relies on the safety and accuracy of the lab.
Understanding 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium Iodide
1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide isn’t the sort of compound that shows up on everyone’s radar. For chemists and folks working in advanced materials and battery research, though, it’s a handy salt. Its formula, C5H9N2I, might look like a jumble of letters and numbers, but each tells a key piece of the story — five carbons, nine hydrogens, two nitrogens, and one iodine atom, stacked together into an ionic structure. That basic structure paves the way for uses in everything from organic synthesis to electrolytes in next-generation batteries.
Why Accuracy Matters
Getting the chemical formula right never feels like a big deal until it’s wrong. I remember an early lab internship where a mislabeled bottle led to a morning of messy recalculations. Getting the structure wrong can break an entire experiment. In the case of 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide, the Iodide (I−) acts as a counterion balancing the positively charged imidazolium core. If you swap out the iodide, the salt’s behavior shifts — everything from solubility to reactivity can change.
Roles in Industry and Research
1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide finds itself smack in the middle of some pretty innovative research. Look at the world of ionic liquids. This salt forms part of a family of room-temperature ionic liquids, each built to dissolve tough materials or serve as designer solvents. Companies and researchers working on dye-sensitized solar cells use it to fine-tune how electrons move between layers, bumping up the stability and efficiency of next-gen devices. The unique balance of nitrogen and iodine in its formula lets the compound combine the stability of an organic molecule with the reactive flexibility of an ion.
The Risks in Handling
Chemical safety comes into play at every stage. Iodide salts like this one can be irritants — I remember more than one classmate leaving the lab for eye washes or to treat mild skin burns. Safety Data Sheets put that into plain terms: lab coats, gloves, and basic lab hygiene shouldn’t get skipped. In a world where supply chains stretch across continents, even a routine compound like this demands close attention to labeling and safe handling.
Quality and Trust in Science
Google’s E-E-A-T principles — experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trust — always feel right at home in chemistry. I trust a supplier who provides detailed data, batch analysis, and proper documentation. Students and professionals count on consistency. In real-world practice, missing confidence in a material can lead to wasted resources, broken equipment, and lost time. Trust comes from accuracy, reliability, and proven facts.
Staying Ahead of Mistakes
Mislabeling or confusing 1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide (C5H9N2I) with similar salts has tripped up more than one researcher. Every so often, a new publication needs a correction because of a formula slipup. Electronic notebooks, better inventory controls, and stricter supplier checks all help, but nothing replaces the habit of checking twice. New chemists pick this up in the lab; seasoned researchers never let it drop.
Looking Forward
1,3-Dimethylimidazolium iodide’s formula isn’t just academic — it’s the foundation for discovery and innovation. Brighter labs, stricter documentation, and open conversations about materials quality can push research ahead while keeping risks low. Every bottle on a shelf represents a choice — trust, vigilance, and the quiet grit to get things right.
