1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate comes from the group of ionic liquids that caught the research world’s eye thanks to their tunable properties and environmental aspects. This compound features a unique imidazolium ring with butyl and methyl groups attached to nitrogen atoms, plus a dihydrogen phosphate anion. Chemically, its structure reflects the formula C8H17N2O4P, revealing eight carbon atoms, seventeen hydrogens, two nitrogens, four oxygens, and one phosphorus. The product falls under the HS Code 293499, categorized among other organic chemicals. Folks working with molecular materials would recognize this ionic liquid both for its contemporary uses and its reliable behavior in industrial and laboratory settings.
In practice, 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate comes in several forms: a viscous liquid, fine powder, crystalline solid, or even as small flakes or pearls depending on temperature and synthesis method. Its specific appearance gives users great flexibility, so it often ends up in custom liter quantities, and people sometimes see it supplied as a concentrated aqueous solution for certain applications. The purest samples reveal a crystal-clear or faintly yellow tint, and impurities can introduce cloudiness. With a molecular weight around 242.21 g/mol and a density that typically falls at 1.18 g/cm3 at 25°C, this chemical maintains a stable profile across typical storage conditions. Its melting point ranges from just below room temperature to about 50°C, so it toggles between solid and liquid forms based on ambient conditions or transport requirements.
The structure of 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate drives a property set that stands out among ionic liquids. Its ionic character guarantees high conductivity, non-volatility, and thermal stability beyond what most conventional solvents provide. The dihydrogen phosphate group attracts attention due to its affinity for protons, aiding in applications involving catalysis or proton conduction. At the same time, the bulky organic cation suppresses vapor pressure, which makes storage and transportation more manageable and environmentally sound compared with volatile solvents. Its solubility in water and polar organic solvents speaks to both its flexibility and its role in green chemistry. In lab environments, it sometimes appears as shimmering crystals, but more often as a clear, syrupy liquid, which pours more slowly than water but mixes completely on stirring. It tends to resist decomposition unless subjected to high heat above 200°C, and does not fluoresce under UV, setting it apart from certain aromatic organic molecules.
Direct exposure to 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate requires respect for chemical behavior rather than blind fear. The phosphate group gives it some corrosive tendencies, particularly toward metals and human tissue, so users handle it with gloves, goggles, and careful containment. Inhalation of its vapors or dusts can irritate airways, and accidental contact with skin or eyes results in mild to moderate burns. There are no significant flammability risks, as its low vapor pressure keeps airborne concentrations manageable, but mixing with strong acids or bases may trigger exothermic reactions, so users regulate combinations carefully. Environmental runoff needs controlling since phosphate-rich substances may stimulate undesirable growth in aquatic ecosystems. The product label never fails to mention these facts, nor does its safety data sheet gloss over the importance of a well-ventilated workspace and secure raw ingredient storage. Those who transport or store it in bulk use chemical-resistant plastic or steel drums lined to prevent corrosion, and always keep it isolated from food, feed, and living quarters. Emergency protocols call for plenty of clean water for rinsing and absorbent spill materials designed for corrosive liquids.
With the growth of green chemistry, 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate has moved from academic labs into real-world applications as a strong solvent, raw material, and intermediate. Factory settings look at this compound for cellulose processing, helping dissolve stubborn fibers without harsh volatility—a task that matters both for environmental targets and worker comfort. In the electrochemical world, engineers value its use in proton exchange membranes and fuel cells, where conductivity and chemical resistance make or break performance. Analytical chemists appreciate its low volatility and non-flammability, which makes it less hazardous than most organic solvents used in extractions or chromatography. Within pharmaceuticals, it can act as a medium for synthesis, providing a polar environment for tricky reactions while reducing solvent waste in the process. Given the push to lower toxic emissions and reduce workplace health risks, industries now prioritize ionic liquids such as this over petroleum-based alternatives. Buyers demand full technical data, robust certificates of analysis, and compliance with international transport regulations, reflecting just how much the standards for chemical handling have evolved.
Anyone who has handled 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate in a lab would notice that it tends to cling to surfaces, coaxing users to work with slow, deliberate motions and plenty of rinse cycles. Its use makes sense in places where standard solvents come up short, and the push for safer, greener processes feeds demand for these more advanced chemicals. To fully leverage its potential, improvements in recycling and disposal must match its adoption rate, otherwise the environmental ideals behind ionic liquids might falter. Factories and research groups need straightforward systems for recovery and purification to keep costs and waste down. Authorities need clear safety labeling and user training to keep incidents rare and minor. In all these ways, the chemical plays a bigger story about shifting away from legacy materials and toward an era where designers pick products as much for environmental impact and worker well-being as for raw cost and bulk performance.
