1-Hexyl-3-vinylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate stands as a unique ionic liquid, known in the chemical industry for its versatility and for the enhanced properties it can offer in both synthesis and electrochemistry. The molecular formula, C11H19BF4N2, sketches out a structure with a six-carbon hexyl chain attached to the imidazolium cation, modified further by the vinyl group, making it more reactive than many standard imidazolium salts. The compound joins with the tetrafluoroborate anion, which contributes chemical stability and exceptional ionic conductivity.
In lab settings and production warehouses, this material mostly comes as a viscous liquid, but it is also known to form a crystalline solid at lower temperatures. On handling, the substance reveals a specific density often measured around 1.14 g/cm³ at 25°C, which gives it a weighty, yet manageable, consistency compared with common organic solvents. Crystals, flakes, pearls, and powder forms do occur, especially in colder or highly concentrated conditions, but the liquid state tends to dominate in practical applications due to its broad liquidus range. These physical features make the substance easy to separate from nonpolar compounds, especially useful in extractions.
A major draw to this ionic liquid lies in its broad electrochemical window. This feature means applications in batteries, capacitors, or as a medium for electrodeposition find new efficiencies and lower volatility risks compared to older solvents. From personal experience as a laboratory technician in an electrochemistry group, I recall the ease of tuning this liquid’s conductivity by simply adjusting its purity or blend, a flexibility rarely matched in conventional solvents. As a raw material, it links with polymer science: the vinyl group serves as a reactive center for polymerization, producing materials with tailored conductivity and resistance properties. The molecular structure, which discourages easy evaporation or decomposition under heat, keeps working conditions safer than those when using chloroform or other volatile substances.
This material does not belong to the list of hazardous explosives or poisons, but workers need to understand its genuine chemical hazards. Ionic liquids with the tetrafluoroborate anion can release hydrogen fluoride gas if exposed to acidic conditions or high heat, posing serious risks to respiratory systems and equipment. Nitrile gloves, goggles, and lab coats do not simply fulfill a regulatory checklist—they’re an absolute must for safe handling. The global trade of this chemical observes an HS Code commonly set as 2933.39, under heterocyclic compounds, though customs officials sometimes require more detail based on end-use and regional rules. In my own practice, MSDS documents keep close at hand, since each batch can vary slightly in impurity content, which influences both risk profile and exact labeling.
Suppliers usually describe the compound’s purity level, water content, density, and appearance in technical sheets. High-purity grades exist for electronic and pharmaceutical use, where trace metals and water can ruin delicate reactions or introduce unpredictable currents. In ordinary lab usage, typical density figures (around 1.14 g/cm³) hold the most weight for measurement and process calculations. The color, usually a faint yellow to colorless, gives a quick visual indication of contamination—darker hues often point to leftover vinyl or hexyl residues. Storage at room temperature in tightly sealed, inert containers, often glass or compatible plastic, prevents hydrolysis and moisture uptake.
What often makes or breaks a specialty chemical for industrial or academic settings isn’t only performance, but how quickly and safely it can be handled, recycled, or disposed of. Laboratories I have worked in regularly dealt with the question of safe solvent recovery and reuse—ionic liquids like 1-hexyl-3-vinylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate do offer recycling advantages over more volatile solvents, but impurities (either from the reaction or environment) gradually accumulate, forcing regular purification through distillation or filtering. Manufacturers could help by supplying detailed batch analysis, enhancing trust in reproducibility, and investing in purification streamlining at the user’s site—an area that connects directly to greener chemistry ambitions and industrial cost-saving.
As the world sharpens its focus on sustainability, chemicals like 1-hexyl-3-vinylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate pick up extra value through their low volatility and reduced flammability. Academic and industry innovators turn to these substances to replace traditional organic solvents, especially where emissions controls or worker-safety rules are tight. The electrochemical stability and compatibility with both organic and inorganic compounds set up new routes in battery tech, surface coatings, and separation science. From my own perspective, applications in energy storage showed the compound’s worth, allowing for the safe, high-efficiency cycling of materials that other electrolytes simply could not handle. The transition toward more sustainable materials depends on just this kind of innovation.
Chemical Name: 1-Hexyl-3-vinylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate
Molecular Formula: C11H19BF4N2
HS Code: 2933.39
Appearance: Colorless/yellow liquid, solidified as flakes, powder, or crystalline at lower temperatures
Density: ~1.14 g/cm³ at 25°C
Solubility: Mixes well with many organic solvents; moderate in water
Main Forms: Liquid, flakes, powder, pearls, solid, crystals
Main Applications: Electrolytes, catalysts, polymerization, extraction, battery research
Key Features: High stability, low volatility, broad electrochemical window, tuneable viscosity
Raw material sourcing for 1-hexyl-3-vinylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate leans heavily on the purity of imidazole derivatives and precise control over alkylation steps. Seasonal changes and disruptions in shipping schedules can alter lead times, which makes a reliable supplier relationship essential. On the user end, rigorous purity standards dictate whether the compound enters high-tech manufacturing or stays within more routine chemical synthesis. Throughout my years in procurement, I have often battled with balancing price, purity, and delivery time—a triangle that never seems to have a perfect answer, but one where the right knowledge shifts outcomes dramatically.
