1-Decyl-3-Methylimidazolium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide, usually known among researchers as [C10mim][NTf2], stands out as an ionic liquid that has drawn attention from both chemical process industries and academic labs. This substance carries a unique combination of an imidazolium-based cation with a long decyl chain and a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion. Each part of its chemical structure brings strengths to the table, driving advances in materials science, catalysis, electrochemistry, and separation technologies. Produced using carefully controlled raw materials, this ionic compound avoids traditional volatility and flammability, earning a strong reputation in labs searching for alternatives to classic organic solvents.
Physical forms of [C10mim][NTf2] cover a lot of ground. Depending on storage conditions and manufacturer precision, this material turns up as colorless to pale yellow flakes, fine powder, glassy pearls, or solid chunks. Room temperature often presents the compound as either a waxy solid or an oily liquid, because the melting point hovers close to ambient. Purity, trace solvents, and atmospheric moisture each play a part in deciding whether it arrives crystalline or more amorphous. Even as a solid, it lends itself to easy handling, pouring, or weighing. For specialty applications like solvents in high-temperature reactions or as electrolytes, it dissolves in a range of organic liquids—displaying a clarity that signals minimal contamination.
This compound walks a careful chemical tightrope. The cation, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium, features a decyl chain stretched off an aromatic imidazole ring. That structure brings hydrophobic, stable backbone along with pi-electron interactions. The anion, bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide, packs a punch as a large, delocalized, and highly-fluorinated structure. When researchers write [C10mim][NTf2], they mean C₁₄H₂₇F₆N₃O₄S₂. Molecular weight sits at around 563.5 g/mol; density floats between 1.2 and 1.3 g/cm³ at 20°C. Purity specifications depend on source—quality grades for research or synthesis often hit 98% or higher, but what matters more is the absence of halide residues and water below 500 ppm, since these can compromise reliability in batteries, catalysis, or analytical applications.
The physical properties of [C10mim][NTf2] open up more options than many solvents and electrolytes. Low melting point means that in many climates, it will pour from a bottle rather than needing to be chipped or melted. Thermal stability in the 200°C–350°C range resists breakdown in demanding processes. Vapor pressure rests near zero at room temperature, a huge plus for those expecting high standards of safety and process control. Dielectric constant—usually around 10–11—supports its use in electrochemical and energy storage applications. Viscosity catches attention: longer alkyl chains on the cation lead to thicker liquids, adding challenges in mixing and diffusion, but this also boosts ionic conductivity and eases separations of the new generation of biphasic systems. [C10mim][NTf2] shines as a solvent for polar and nonpolar solutes alike, and dissolves a surprising variety of organic, inorganic, and polymeric compounds.
Working safely with [C10mim][NTf2] means knowing that even when a chemical brings new possibilities, it can also introduce hidden risks. This compound does not catch fire or evaporate easily, cutting down obvious hazards compared to traditional organic solvents. Still, the fluorinated and sulfonyl groups mean that it presents environmental and health hazards if mishandled. Chronic exposure to the raw materials or the compound itself raises concerns about skin and eye irritation, especially if laboratory standards slip or waste handling falls short. Thermal decomposition releases toxic or corrosive gases, especially under poor ventilation. Safety data sheets include GHS classifications for irritant and aquatic toxicity, though acute toxicity data for this specific salt remain limited. The real safety benefit comes from reducing volatile organics in the workplace—but all waste should be captured and incinerated at qualified sites, not poured down drains.
[C10mim][NTf2] supports some of the most innovative research efforts today. The unique combination of high thermal stability, broad solvent range, and ionic conductivity lets it operate as a raw material for advanced materials, such as polymer electrolytes, ionic liquid crystals, and surface-treated membranes. In electrochemical cells and batteries, it skips over issues that sulfonate-based ionic liquids cause, making stronger performance in lithium-ion, magnesium, or even aluminum battery research. In catalysis, its thermal stability allows transition metal complexes and acid catalysts to run hotter and longer without decomposing or gumming up. Industrial solvent applications include extractions in pharmaceutical work, biomass conversion, and even in green chemistry approaches to avoid petroleum-based solvents. Beyond the still-emerging field of ionic liquid reactors, [C10mim][NTf2] turns up in analytical chemistry as a solvent standard, thanks to its chemical clarity and ability to dissolve ionic and nonionic organic compounds.
Logistics and compliance teams need the HS Code for trade. For most jurisdictions, [C10mim][NTf2] gets classified under HS Code 2942 for organic compounds—the exact assignment can differ based on country and purity grade, so importers watch for local regulations. New chemical registration in regions like Europe (REACH) or North America (TSCA) might demand detailed environmental and safety information, especially if used at scale or for commercial production. Waste management rules direct companies to avoid dumping or mixing this ionic liquid with municipal waste streams. Since the field keeps evolving, best practices rely on regular updates from chemical safety boards and regulatory notices.
Having spent time in research labs and pilot production plants, I've learned the hard way that chemicals like [C10mim][NTf2] aren’t abstract tools—they make or break processes. My first projects with ionic liquids struggled with leftover halide ions, which killed sensitive reactions. Only through careful specification review, reliable sourcing, and lots of patience with purification did we nail down those issues. The bigger promise isn’t just another option for solvents but a push toward safer, more sustainable processes. Labs and companies committed to reducing volatile emissions, cutting waste, and improving reaction efficiency find plenty of motivation to make the shift. Still, the story’s not only about performance. Each new material brings its safety quirks, hidden costs, and set of challenges for disposal. Industry moves forward by balancing these trade-offs, investing in greener technologies, and being honest about what new compounds can and can’t fix. Ionic liquids like [C10mim][NTf2] offer a path forward—one that will continue to change as scientists and engineers keep learning, adapting, and sharing results.
