1,3-Diethylimidazolium Bromide stands out as an ionic liquid commonly seen in chemical labs where researchers search for materials that bridge traditional organic reagents and the growing demand for greener chemistry. The name points to its family: two ethyl groups attached to an imidazole ring, balanced by a single bromide ion. The HS Code for this substance commonly fits under 2933.99 for heterocyclic compounds without oxygen hetero-atoms, which aligns with how customs and trade regulations identify it.
Peering into the structural formula offers insight. At the core, a five-membered imidazole ring gains extra stability from two ethyl groups attached at the nitrogen atoms in positions one and three. The molecular formula, C7H13BrN2, shows a moderately sized molecule, suitable for use as a solvent, catalyst, or ionic conductor. The crystal structure enables robust ionic interactions thanks to the pairing of the planar organic cation with the spherical bromide anion.
1,3-Diethylimidazolium Bromide usually shows up as a white to off-white solid, but in some batches, a cream or light yellow tinge reflects either modest impurities or subtle handling differences. Chemists often work with it as fine flakes, powder, or sometimes even compressed as pearls or blocks, which affect how fast it dissolves and how easily it can be weighed or measured. Granular or chunky grades work better for large-scale synthesis, while refined powder ensures even mixing in small-scale bench work. This compound dissolves smoothly in water, methanol, and various polar organic solvents, making it an adaptable material for everything from physical chemistry experiments to catalysis.
Measured at standard conditions (25°C, 1 atm), the density tends to hover around 1.45 g/cm³ in crystal or solid form. While not volatile, the compound’s melting point falls within 130–140°C, which creates options for researchers seeking a solid under most lab conditions that transitions to a liquid for specialty synthesis when needed. For those seeking to work at higher concentrations, the compound forms clear, colorless solutions up to high molarity in water, a property that drives use in electrochemistry and green manufacturing. From my own experience weighing hundreds of grams of this material, the tactile impression: fine and dry, like table salt but a little softer. In open air, the compound resists caking, but high humidity leads to minor clumping, which can be fixed by gentle warming under a dry nitrogen flow.
This salt doesn’t just act as a lab curiosity—real world applications range across organic synthesis, electrolyte formulation, and catalysis. The ionic liquid version, when melted, becomes a stable medium for certain transition metal catalyst cycles, such as alkylation or hydrogen transfer. Its stability stems from robust ionic interactions and weak reactivity toward most non-oxidizing agents. Manufacturers turn to it as a raw material for producing other imidazolium-based compounds, tweaking the organic side-chains to create custom environments for chemical reactions that demand high selectivity or low volatility.
One of the most significant findings about 1,3-Diethylimidazolium Bromide appears when it acts as a “green solvent” alternative to traditional chlorinated hydrocarbons. This property alone moves the compound into a category being explored by industries seeking to meet strict environmental and health standards worldwide. Carried out under inert gas, its reactions yield little hazardous vapor, and the high melting and boiling points let chemists avoid solvents with lower flashpoints or higher toxicity. Still, the bromide ion means storage must avoid strong acids or oxidizers, which would liberate corrosive or harmful byproducts.
Lab safety requires more than just a passing awareness with 1,3-Diethylimidazolium Bromide. The solid and its concentrated solutions can irritate the eyes, nose, or skin, but compared to many alkyl bromides, the risks prove less acute. Accidental contact feels slightly slippery—dispose of gloves after direct handling. No sharp odor announces its presence, so routine monitoring and good hygiene prevent unwanted ingestion or inhalation. In dust form, avoid creating clouds. For those handling multi-kilogram batches, local ventilation and filtered masks work well. Spills clean up with a damp towel and, for persistent residue, ordinary soap cuts through without drama. The material itself, stored at room temperature in a well-sealed container, rarely presents surprises. Combustion produces bromine-containing fumes, so fire safety planning should always include proper extinguishers.
Disposal runs smoother if you add it slowly to water, neutralize any strong acid traces, and hand over the spent solution to certified chemical waste handlers. This remains important where regional guidelines might classify imidazolium compounds as mildly hazardous chemical waste, particularly due to the potential persistence of bromide in groundwater. Best practices tell us to always check local law before disposal—for both environmental reasons and to stay on the right side of chemical regulations.
Handling problems mostly surface when users underestimate how temperature and humidity impact the material: powders clump or stick under damp air; crystals melt together in direct sun. Smart storage calls for tight-sealing containers, silica gel packs, and temperature control between 15°C and 25°C. Freezer storage can cause water condensation during handling, leading to localized hydrolysis or loss of purity, so routine checks for both mass and purity save costly surprises.
Scaling up reactions or pilot-scale processes brings additional hurdles. Automated feeders often jam with powder grades, favoring flakes or pearls for larger reactors. Given its role in new battery research, I’ve seen teams invest in precision microbalances and gentle conveyors just to keep handling smooth. Another tip: keep a label with both batch origin and synthesis date—impurities can appear over months, especially if older stock reacts slowly with ambient carbon dioxide to generate off-color byproducts.
From undergraduate course projects up to pharmaceutical process development, 1,3-Diethylimidazolium Bromide functions as a backbone ingredient when building custom ionic liquids. Tech firms look for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of specialty solvents, and this compound shines in that discussion. Researchers pair it with other imidazolium or pyridinium salts to tune conductivity, viscosity, and chemical resistance. Recent work points to emerging uses in high-end capacitors, next-generation batteries, and even environmental remediation, relying on the easy adjustability of its physical and chemical traits.
In my own years in the field, practical knowledge always came back to three points: keep the material dry, track batch purity with simple melting point checks, and respect that while this chemical carries real risk like anything in the lab, it bridges an essential gap between traditional solvents and the promise of more sustainable manufacturing.
