The chemical known as 1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide represents a type of ionic liquid that’s drawing attention in both research and industry circles. This compound comes from the class of imidazolium salts and brings together the vinyl-imidazolium ring with a butyl side chain and a dicyanamide anion. Its molecular structure features a butyl group attached to the nitrogen of the imidazolium ring, and a vinyl group linked at the third position, making it stand out among similar materials. The full molecular formula is C11H16N6, given the contributions from both the imidazolium cation and the dicyanamide anion.
On a granular level, 1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide typically appears in solid or liquid states under standard laboratory conditions. Users find it available as a powder, crystalline flakes, or even in clear oily liquid form, based mainly on storage conditions and purity. In its purest state, this compound often forms white or off-white pearls or crystals, sometimes taking on a faint hue depending on storage and trace impurities. For anyone used to handling chemical raw materials, this appearance highlights careful handling and storage needs, which ensures stability before use in synthesis or applications.
1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide’s physical profile gives a clear snapshot of why it’s valued in synthesis and material science. Its specific density generally falls close to 1.1 – 1.2 g/cm³ at room temperature, a characteristic that echoes many ionic liquids which carry slightly greater mass than water due to the ion pairs within their structure. Unlike traditional salts, its melting point tends to be lower, sometimes close to room temperature, which stems from disrupted crystal lattice energies seen in these highly-tailored organic salts. From my own experience running extractions and polymerizations, the liquid state opens opportunities for easy mixing and functionalization, a property that has led to increased interest in polymer chemistry and as solvents for specialty reactions.
Solubility serves as another key point. It often shows strong solubility in polar solvents, including water and acetonitrile, thanks to its charged nature. In work involving separation processes, its miscibility with both organic and inorganic phases has set it apart, making it a useful medium for complex syntheses or as a carrier for catalysis. Handling the material in a research lab often means paying attention to its hygroscopic character—exposure to air can lead to water uptake, which sometimes makes proper drying a recurring challenge.
With its imidazolium base, vinyl substitution, and the unique dicyanamide anion, the molecule combines stability with functional reactivity. The vinyl group enables the molecule to participate in various polymerization reactions, allowing for integration into advanced polymeric materials. The dicyanamide component, characterized by two cyano groups and a central nitrogen atom, lends the system extra reactivity, giving rise to coordination chemistry applications and advances in electrochemical research. Technicians often use such ionic liquids in electroplating, organic synthesis, and as solvents for challenging organic or inorganic transformations. My time with ionic liquids consistently showed that the dual chemical properties of strong ionic bonds and the ability to withstand various chemistries adds practical merit, though sometimes the cost and supply chain for specialty salts present hurdles.
The molecular weight sits around 248.3 g/mol. Considering large-scale use, material transfer needs must address the form—whether as bulk powder, granular solid, or in solution, with volume (liter) measurements, especially when dissolving for industrial use. Specific handling guidelines accompany storage to reduce moisture uptake and potential decomposition, ensuring that the measured specifications stay constant from warehouse to bench.
For transport and regulatory reporting, 1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide often carries an HS Code under organic chemicals, though the exact code depends on jurisdiction and precise description. Safety data sheets point out that, while not as volatile or flammable as some organic solvents, this chemical can pose health hazards relating to skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation when used in powdered or aerosolizable forms. Chemical workers use gloves, splash goggles, and fume hoods to avoid accidental contact, since ionic liquids sometimes present unexpected toxicity, especially with repeated or prolonged exposure.
Toxicity profiles show that dicyanamide-based ionic liquids sometimes break down to release cyanide species. This makes it crucial to control pH and temperature during high-energy reactions or when attempting waste disposal. Industries working with bulk quantities install gas detection and scrubbing systems to prevent atmospheric release, while proper labeling and storage keep the material safe from accidental misuse. Whether storing in drums or as laboratory glassware portions, resistive packaging and warning systems serve as a necessary routine.
1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide serves researchers and commercial users mainly in roles where no traditional solvent or additive can operate cleanly. Its function as a precursor for ionic polymers, specialty catalysts, and electrolyte systems played a big role in advanced battery and supercapacitor development over recent years. Sourcing raw materials requires reliable suppliers with technical specs backing purity, impurity levels, and water content. Quality labs run spectroscopic and gravimetric assays on each batch to ensure no unwanted degradation or cross-contamination. While not as widely produced as chloroform or acetone, those working in specialty chemistry rely on niche vendors capable of meeting tight timelines and purity demands.
My own journey with ionic liquids spans from academic benchwork to industrial consulting—every use of 1-Butyl-3-Vinylimidazolium Dicyanamide reminded me that properties like controlled density, robust solubility, and reactive handles set the standard for future chemical innovation. Whether as raw material or finished solution, the value found in safe use, careful handling, and technical understanding underscores why this compound finds itself on so many experimenter’s shopping lists.
