1-Butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide stands out in the landscape of ionic liquids and advanced chemical materials. This compound combines an organic imidazolium core, substituted by both a butyl and a vinyl group, carrying a bromide counterion. It goes by the molecular formula C9H15BrN2, tallying up a molecular weight near 247.14 g/mol. Its vinyl group plays a decisive role, opening paths for further functionalization and polymerization. The physical form often appears as an off-white to beige powder, though it can also be supplied as crystals, flakes, or, less frequently, as a viscous liquid, depending on purity, hydration state, and intended application. Specification sheets frequently list parameters such as melting point range near 80-120 °C, and it brings a density of roughly 1.3 g/cm3, but variations appear sourced from both synthesis conditions and lots. A sharp chemical nose quickly notices its faint, not-unpleasant, slightly rubbery odor, an artifact of its vinyl content. HS Code for this compound often runs under 2933.39, lining up alongside other heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen.
A look at the structure reveals a five-membered imidazolium ring at its core, decked with a butyl chain at one nitrogen and a vinyl group at the other. The quaternized nitrogen gives a positive charge to the ring, which is balanced by bromide, nestled close but not covalently bound. This setup hands the molecule a hydrophilic character thanks to its ionic nature. Immersed in polar solvents such as water or acetonitrile, the molecules split easily and dissolve well. Its crystalline form results from strong ionic interactions holding units together. The vinyl group, being reactive, gives this chemical a leading edge in polymer chemistry, letting researchers string it into much larger molecules. As a solid, it’s not very dusty or friable, often feels waxy between the fingers, and a batch stored carelessly clumps up after sitting exposed to humid air. Sometimes, small pearls or granules show up as a preferred handling form for industrial weighing and dispensing, though fine powders remain most common in laboratory supply catalogs.
A typical data sheet runs through properties such as color—from white to pale yellow—melting point, density, purity (98% and above common for research), and solubility. Not all batches smell the same, but none should give a strong offensive odor. As an ionic liquid precursor or a functional monomer, it melts well above room temperature, which helps with storage and shipping. Chemists care about hydroscopicity, too: left open to air, the material starts to suck in moisture, slowly making a sticky paste if humidity runs high. As far as solubility goes, in water it dissolves briskly. In less polar organic solvents, performance drops, but DMSO and DMF handle it perfectly fine. Color or transparency might tip off slight impurities, which crop up now and then depending on how the manufacturing plant runs its reactors and work-up. The bulk density sits a bit higher than standard table salt—not a featherweight, but easy enough to scoop out of jars and into flasks.
No one ever regrets careful handling with bromide salts and ionic monomers. Gloves, goggles, and lab coats hit the mark for personal protection. While not as volatile as some solvents, this compound can be irritating, mostly to skin and mucous membranes. Material safety data sheets tell you to avoid inhaling dust or letting solutions soak the hands—this advice lines up with years of hands-on experience in chemistry settings. Accidental spills clean up with standard laboratory absorbents, immediately swept and bagged for disposal. Waste handling calls for segregation from acids and oxidizers, plus labeling under hazardous chemical waste streams, especially for quantities used in research and pilot-scale production labs. The bromide component, while not as toxic as other halides, does carry classification under certain environmental regulations when released in significant ground or wastewater. Any chemical with a reactive vinyl group and ionic features should stay clear of direct flame, strong UV light, and incompatible agents like heavy oxidizing salts.
Most commercial 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide starts from imidazole, an industrial intermediate easily sourced at scale, and vinyl halides, with the butyl chain grafted on in the early stages of synthesis. Manufacturers strive for minimal residual solvents and complete bromination, aiming for a clean, single product matched to analytical standards. Quality checks keep an eye out for off-cycle impurities, excess starting materials, or color-forming byproducts, since these factors influence everything from shelf life to process yield in downstream applications. Raw feedstock reliability connects directly to safe, predictable output, especially for chemical engineers running polymerization reactions or electrochemical experiments. Different suppliers provide “standard,” “high-purity,” or “custom-blended” lots to accommodate researchers and manufacturers needing both consistency and flexibility for their process lines.
My laboratory years working with functional ionic liquids and vinyl monomers showed the versatility of this compound. I’ve seen it used as a cornerstone in designing polymer electrolytes, part of the innovation driving safer lithium battery research. At bench scale, this salt’s vinyl group lets us build responsive, conductive polymers by straightforward radical polymerization, blending ionic conductivity with mechanical stability. In specialty catalysis, its ionic structure shifts reaction rates and selectivity, impacting both green chemistry and waste minimization. Environmental research circles discuss its potential as a new separator material in fuel cells and as a template in nanomaterial synthesis. Each time a batch runs clean and stable, downstream efficiencies immediately improve, saving run time and cost.
A willingness to invest in proper training pays dividends with chemicals like 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide. Management teams should insist on up-to-date hazard communication, written SOPs, and periodic reviews of air monitoring and surface decontamination protocols. As regulation tightens for brine discharge and halogenated waste, users need to stay informed about the reporting requirements—not just to avoid fines but to actively shape greener practices across the specialty chemicals sector. Collaboration between research groups and production facilities means lessons learned in mishandling, like clumped packaging or overexposure to sunlight, get circulated and fixed rapidly, reducing lost material and health risks. There’s an ongoing push now for greener, halide-free ionic liquids, but for applications demanding rigid quality and reliable performance, 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide remains a preferred material.
