1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate -7 has become a familiar face in the landscape of modern chemicals. Known in many labs for its robustness and flexibility, this compound steps up where classic solvents fall short. The chemical formula C8H17N2O4P gives a clear picture of its molecular makeup, showing the presence of an imidazolium cation paired with a strongly polar phosphate anion. This pairing says a lot about how 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate -7 handles both organic and inorganic solutes, maintaining high thermal stability compared to more volatile organic liquids. With a typical density hovering around 1.2 g/cm³ at room temperature and a melting point that can vary depending on crystal purity, it’s sold as a clear to pale yellow liquid or sometimes as a powdery solid, and those differences in appearance stem from variables in storage and production. You’ll see it labeled under HS Code 29339980, sitting among specialized and less-common organic chemicals.
Working with this material brings a stack of details to keep in mind. On the shelf, it won’t look flashy—a bit viscous, usually colorless or mildly yellow, and certainly not volatile like an old-school solvent such as toluene. The imidazolium ring makes this molecule highly ionic, aiding its famously low vapor pressure and resistance to evaporation. Pouring it from a bottle, you notice that heaviness, the thick flow—signs of strong intermolecular forces pushing up its density. While it can form crystals in the right storage conditions, you’re more likely to work with it as a stable, ready-to-measure solution. That density plus a sweet spot for solvation powers its use in tough chemical separations, ionic liquids, and advanced batteries.
Researchers, procurement officers, and process engineers prefer exact figures when it comes to buying or using this compound. Most suppliers offer 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate -7 with a purity above 98%, flagged on the material’s Certificate of Analysis. It comes packed in sealed glass or high-grade plastic containers for safety, shielding it from moisture which can shift its properties or lead to hazardous hydrolysis. As solid flakes or powdered pearls, it dissolves well into water or polar organics. As a bulk liquid, it pours with a signature density, making volumetric measurements reliable. Industry users who rely on mass-spectrometry or NMR need those clean, traceable specs for reproducibility.
Talking about lab or plant safety, this is a chemical that demands attention but not panic. Its toxicity is moderate; it can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled in significant quantities, so gloves and goggles always come out before handling. Safety Data Sheets list its known hazards, including skin and eye irritation risk, and the long-term effects aren’t perfectly mapped, so engineers and chemists err on the side of caution. It does not ignite easily, thanks to that low vapor pressure, but fire safety standards never get relaxed in real labs. Disposal routines matter—aqueous waste containing this compound routes through specialized waste handling, keeping wastewater streams safe. Regulations on ionic liquids and organic phosphates continue to evolve, meaning every lab or factory remains alert to updates on permissible exposure and environmental handling.
1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate -7 sits solidly in the toolkit for creating new materials, electrolytes, and catalysts. Its high ionic conductivity and broad chemical compatibility cut a path into energy storage solutions; battery developers harvest its capabilities for advanced lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells. Synthetic chemists use it as a solvent for challenging reactions that can’t run in water or petroleum-based liquids, thanks to its resistance to acid, base, and thermal breakdown. As a “raw material,” it sometimes joins with complex organometallics or delicate protein extractions, stabilizing products that otherwise break down under harsher conditions. The molecule resists vigorous degradation compared to classic organics, reducing waste but demanding new disposal planning.
Every year, published work on 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Dimethylphosphate -7 pushes science a step forward. For example, studies from the Journal of Physical Chemistry measure its conductivity and viscosity across temperature ranges, confirming that its ionic mobility stands out against older amide- or phosphate-based solvents. Real-world applications in recycling, pharmaceuticals, and green chemistry anchor regulatory shifts—the European Chemicals Agency, in recent rulings, points to safer handling protocols and tracing measures that laboratories now weave into standard operating procedures. To boost safety and reliability, teams designing new processes should lean into integrated hazard assessments, sharing findings with supply chain partners and hazardous waste handlers along the way. Engineers working at scale can push for safer packaging—double-sealed containers cut down spill risk, and clearer labeling cuts confusion when multiple “imidazolium” liquids share a warehouse. By matching facts with active risk management and up-to-date regulatory know-how, chemical handlers keep both product quality and workforce safety out front every day.
