1-Cyanopropyl-3-Methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate stands out as a specialty ionic liquid, pushing boundaries in both academic research and industrial development. The compound forms through the combination of a 1-cyanopropyl group and a 3-methylimidazolium ring, paired with a hexafluorophosphate anion. Its chemical structure gives rise to unique properties not commonly found in conventional solvents or salts. Its formula, C8H13F6N3P, places it among advanced fluorinated materials in use across laboratory and process-scale applications. Holding a stable hexafluorophosphate counterion takes this salt into a realm where its electrical, chemical, and thermal characteristics suit both exploratory chemistry and established production lines.
This compound appears as off-white flakes, powder, or small crystal pearls, depending on factors such as storage conditions and synthesis method. In some cases, it may transition into a partially translucent crystalline solid, offering clues about purity and moisture handling. The density clocks in around 1.37 g/cm³, which aligns with many ionic liquids containing imidazolium and fluorinated anions. It boasts a melting point between 65°C and 75°C, confirming solid-state storage under ambient conditions. There’s a mild, almost inoffensive chemical odour, nothing like the harsh smell of older salts or volatile solvents. Low volatility ensures less exposure to harmful vapours in day-to-day laboratory life. Its solubility occurs readily in polar organic solvents, though it doesn’t readily dissolve in water, owed to the hydrophobic nature of the PF6- anion.
The backbone consists of a five-membered imidazolium core, carrying a methyl group for added chemical stability. The 1-cyanopropyl substituent extends the molecule, tuning reactivity for use in synthesis or electrochemical cells. The hexafluorophosphate anion surrounds the cation, providing high resistance to hydrolysis and supporting longevity even in harsh process conditions. Its molecular weight sits at 297.18 g/mol, supporting straightforward calculation for mixture preparation, scaling, or standardisation tasks.
Standard packaging options include airtight glass vials or chemical-resistant plastic containers, ensuring the material remains free from atmospheric moisture. Suppliers often deliver the product in quantities ranging from 10 grams to hundreds of grams. Specifications focus on purity—often at least 98%—with minimal residual moisture below 0.1%. Particle size varies, but crystalline solids or flakes accelerate handling, whether measured into research glassware or incorporated in reactors for larger-scale synthesis. For liquid formulation and solution, concentrations typically range from 0.01 to 1 M, with adjustments made for specific reaction systems or analytical protocols.
As a specialty chemical, 1-Cyanopropyl-3-Methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate falls under HS Code 2921.90, encompassing other organic compounds, including quaternary ammonium salts. Declaring the correct HS Code aids in seamless customs clearance, avoiding delays. Regulations around import and export demand thorough paperwork, especially for chemicals flagged as potentially hazardous or dual-use.
Despite its value in laboratory and industrial circles, safety cannot take a back seat. The material often earns labels for irritancy, particularly toward eyes and skin upon prolonged contact. Spills need prompt, careful cleanup; powder forms may cause respiratory discomfort. Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves mark a solid minimum for personal protection. Storage happens away from acids, strong oxidisers, and humid environments, since hydrolysis could decompose the hexafluorophosphate anion, releasing toxic gases. Waste management relies on local and national regulation, with many disposal streams requiring incineration or trace-metal recovery. The imidazolium ring system resists bacterial breakdown, pushing for careful accounting to prevent environmental buildup. Those new to ionic liquids sometimes overlook their low vapour pressure, underestimating skin absorption risks over time.
Regulatory bodies continue to debate the fine line between innovative use and environmental responsibility. Imidazolium PF6- compounds do not behave as traditional solvents; waste treatment remains less understood compared to established chemicals. Recognised as hazardous under GHS classification, this material can cause mild skin irritation, respiratory impact, and eye damage. Chronic effects further up the exposure ladder remain under investigation, highlighting the need for robust risk management. For workers raw to the field, onboarding should anchor on thorough risk briefings and clear spill protocols. Treating the substance as a harmful chemical until proven otherwise strengthens safe operational norms, especially where repeated use or long-term storage takes place.
In my lab experience, working with ionic liquids serves not just curiosity but tangible outcomes in both green chemistry and next-generation battery research. 1-Cyanopropyl-3-Methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate functions as a solvent, electrolyte, or reaction medium. It lets researchers bypass many safety headaches tied to volatile organic solvents while unlocking windows for electrochemical efficiency. Its thermal and electrochemical window means new reaction types, new ways to deposit metals or process nanomaterials, and careful adjustments for catalysis. The material’s cost and handling requirements should push users to optimize, recovering and recycling wherever feasible. I watched a university team cut solvent waste by 50% just by moving toward ionic liquids like this one for select syntheses. Cost balancing matters, but so does building comfort with the technical nuance of handling and recovery in real-world labs.
Responsible use hinges on education and process adaptation. Training—both in the classroom and on the bench—drives home the value of pre-planning, robust PPE, and careful inventory control. Suppliers do themselves and their clients a favour by delivering clear Safety Data Sheets (SDS) alongside technical bulletins. Researchers can set up small-scale solvent recovery and purification stations; companies need to partner with certified waste handlers. Industry-wide, creating shared data of long-term toxicity, eco-toxicity, and fate in water or soil shores up trust and enables regulators to set appropriate rules. In my view, investing in closed-system handling—be it glove boxes or ventilated micro-labs—pays back quickly when scaling, reducing the risk of spills or unnecessary exposure. Whether buying a few grams for experiment or sourcing a kilogram for production, users do best to treat this compound as both an opportunity for innovation and a reason to double down on laboratory safety discipline.
