1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide brings a big presence to the world of ionic liquids and specialty chemicals. Known by many researchers and makers as a tool for solving hard chemistry puzzles, this compound blends a bulky organic cation—1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium—with an iodide anion. You find it listed under HS Code 2925190090, which groups it among the more refined, niche heterocyclic compounds. With its clear molecular formula C12H23IN2 and a molecular weight near 322.23 g/mol, each atom in this salt contributes to properties that you won’t easily substitute with cheaper materials.
Physical form matters in every lab and industrial workshop. Most commonly, 1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide shows up as an off-white or pale yellow solid, but conditions can shift it from powder to small crystalline flakes, and sometimes to pearl-shaped nuggets. Under warm conditions or mixed into the right solvent, it can drop into a viscous liquid or clear solution. The density of this substance hovers around 1.08–1.12 g/cm3, heavier than water, which tells you about the big alkyl chain and heavy iodine atom. Its melting point tends to range near 45–50°C, giving it enough robustness for room temperature storage. It won’t evaporate away like a volatile solvent, so storage feels straightforward, as long as you keep it dry and shut out of direct sunlight.
The cation, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium, features a lengthy hydrophobic tail that sets it apart from classic salts and even most ionic liquids. Connected to the imidazolium ring, this tail changes solubility and makes the compound dissolve well in a range of organic solvents. The iodide anion gives it a magic touch for some reactions, often acting as a source of halide or tweaking conductivity and reactivity in electrochemical processes. Chemists admire the stability of the ionic bond inside this structure, and its lack of harsh reactivity with air and water gives it a practical edge during day-to-day lab handling.
Producers ship 1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide in several formats, catering to the needs of both researchers and industry. Labs commonly ask for flakes, pressed powder, or fine crystals, packed in sealed glass or HDPE bottles, sometimes under inert gas for larger lots. Companies checking purity want it above 98%, traced by HPLC or NMR analysis, since even small contaminants can throw off a sensitive synthesis. Details like moisture content and trace metal limits end up on the certificate of analysis, since humidity and metal dust bring headaches in catalytic work.
With its unique structure, this compound crops up everywhere from solar cell fabrication to organic synthesis. As a raw material, 1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide has served in dye-sensitized solar cells, where it supports electron transport and improves overall device efficiency. It’s also well-known as a medium for ionic liquid extraction—pulling precious metals or separating chemicals in hard spots where water-based solvents won’t do the trick. In the pharmaceutical field, researchers rely on its tailored solubility to drive selectivity in organic transformation, especially for reactions craving halide presence. The versatility hinges on the combination of that long carbon chain and the iodide’s punchy chemistry.
No chemical worth its salt comes without safety talk. While 1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium Iodide stays stable against air and light, users wear gloves and safety glasses, since direct skin or eye contact can irritate. Swallowing or breathing dust doesn’t bring as much acute toxicity as heavy metals, but the best practice means using it in a fume hood and following kit-cleaning routines to avoid accidental contamination. Proper storage keeps it dry and secure, away from acids and oxidizers. In waste, diluted aqueous streams treat it as a hazardous organic salt, so you must collect and dispose of it according to chemical waste laws. MSDS sheets back it up: not a casual kitchen ingredient, but safe enough for pros who understand their toolkit.
Supply chain stability has faced recent challenges, mainly because good-quality raw materials cost money and sourcing high-purity imidazole derivatives relies on reliable vendors. To keep costs down and quality up, labs and buyers often push for independent, batch-tested certification, and vendors who can show traceability from raw material sourcing to shipping. Environmental questions keep coming, especially as researchers look beyond halide-rich ionic liquids to options with smaller environmental footprints. The field looks for ways to recycle these salts, recover iodide for re-use, and optimize reaction recipes to squeeze more out of every gram.
