1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate: Product Profile, Properties, Structure, and Safety

What is 1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate?

1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate stands out in the chemical landscape as an ionic liquid, appreciated for its versatility across industrial and scientific settings. Chemically described by the formula C7H15N2O4PS2, this compound meshes a robust organic imidazolium core with an efficient sulfonic acid side chain and a dihydrogen phosphate counterion. With such a molecular backbone, this material diverges from conventional organic solvents and emerges as a key raw material for catalysis, electrochemistry, and green synthesis.

Physical Form and Specifications

Its physical character shapes how people work with it. Most often, one finds it as a viscous, slightly yellowish liquid, though production methods or storage conditions can yield forms like flakes, powder, or even crystals. The compound’s density floats around 1.25-1.35 g/cm³ at standard conditions, a meaningful mark compared to lighter common solvents or inorganic acids. Experienced chemists or engineers will spot how the combination of ionic constituents lends this material the stability and processability needed for demanding chemical transformations. Rare and refined, the pearls and powder forms ease scaling up reactions where controlled dispersion matters, and a liter of this liquid stretches far in applications where mixing ratios make a difference.

Chemical Features and Structural Data

Peering into the structure, the imidazolium ring anchors the compound’s stability and reactivity, while the propylsulfonic tail functionalizes the cation, boosting solubility in polar and non-polar solvents. Nearly every molecule features hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, encouraging complexation and facilitating catalysis. The dihydrogen phosphate anion balances charge, creating a strong acid environment without resorting to corrosive mineral acids. Such a structure carries value for synthetic chemists aiming for selective transformations or electrochemical experiments where a conducting medium matters. Its molecular arrangement resists decomposition under moderate temperature and humidity, and technicians working with grams or kilograms benefit from consistent behavior batch to batch.

Properties: Thermal, Chemical, and Physical

1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate holds a melting point typically below 100°C, marking it among “room temperature” ionic liquids. Its thermal window extends well above the boiling point of water, often surpassing 200°C before any visible decomposition. Chemically, the combination provides acidity without excessive volatility, supporting organic synthesis, extraction processes, and as a solvent for inorganic salts. Its measured conductivity lands in the mid-range for ionic liquids, supporting its place in energy storage or electrocatalytic setups. High solubility in water and compatibility with many polar organics extends its reach into separation or purification work. Sometimes used as a crystal growth agent, the material displays neat control over nucleation, favoring large, quality single crystals. Each property—density, viscosity, solubility—depends as much on purity as handling, so anyone measuring up a solution for laboratory or industrial use takes storage and weighing accuracy to heart.

HS Code, Logistics, and Regulatory Classification

Logistics for 1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate run through regulatory channels where classification lands most often under HS Code 29349990, covering other heterocyclic compounds. Freight teams moving this material focus on temperature control to curb moisture intrusion or thermal cycling. Chemical handlers read and re-read the shipping documents, tracing the material from synthesis bench to delivery destination. The paperwork brings the compound’s identity, hazard profile, and customs requirements up for scrutiny at every junction, from laboratory to manufacturing site. Handling details feature in official documentation to guarantee people at all stages can work with the chemical while safeguarding environmental and workplace norms.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling—Why Responsibility Matters

Handling 1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate calls for respect and preparation, no matter the batch size. While literature and suppliers document its relative stability, users across the supply chain keep goggles and gloves close at hand. The acidic nature of the phosphate group invites careful attention, as skin or eye contact can prompt irritation or worse in some people. Inhalation of dust, powder, or vaporized material—though minimized in liquid or crystal form—raises similar cautions, and storerooms require ventilation and secure shelving. Some countries treat ionic liquids with a more cautious regulatory hand due to persistence in water or soil, so disposal routines involve special procedures to avoid harm to people or the environment. Material safety data sheets detail the risks and outline responses, ensuring accidents get handled with the urgency and precision learned from real-life chemical incidents.

Applications, Value, and the Push for Safer Alternatives

Sourcing 1-Propylsulfonic-3-Methylimidazolium Dihydrogen Phosphate means weighing performance and safety against cost and accessibility. Many labs turn to it for its selective solvent capabilities or catalytic properties. Yet people with long years of chemical experience keep pushing for greener alternatives where toxicity or environmental persistence still raises questions. Seeking solutions drives innovation, whether it’s refining purification steps to reduce waste or developing derivatives with lower ecological footprints. Collaborative efforts across academia, manufacturing, and regulatory bodies chase safer processes—rethinking raw materials and engineering controls to protect workers and communities.

Material Selection: Real-World Decisions and Considerations

Choosing this chemical over an older solvent or acid speaks to a balance between performance, safety, supply-chain reliability, and regulatory standing. At the bench, the edge often tilts toward reproducibility—knowing each flask of solution will deliver identical results every time, no matter how many liters the process grows to use. On the production floor, safe storage means sealed drums, locked cabinets, and real accountability from supervisors and staff. Supply teams stress the importance of clear labeling, up-to-date data sheets, and training sessions drawing lessons from past mishaps. In practice, all these small details add up—for the environment, the people on the front lines, and the integrity of the science or manufacturing that relies on such specialty materials.