1-Vinyl-3-Dodecylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate, often referred to in chemical circles by its abbreviation, emerges as an innovative ionic liquid in several industries spanning materials science and electrochemistry. The core of this molecule starts with a vinyl-functionalized imidazolium ring, tailored by a long dodecyl (C12H25) chain at the nitrogen position, which strongly influences its solubility and interfacial activity. Tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) acts as the balancing anion, bringing chemical stability and widening the scope of applications, most notably in energy materials, ionic liquid electrolytes, and advanced catalysis pathways. In labs, this compound stands out as a highly tunable ionic liquid, useful in research settings that range from polymer synthesis to corrosion inhibition.
The chemical formula for 1-Vinyl-3-Dodecylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate reads C19H35BF4N2. The backbone features a five-membered aromatic imidazole ring, with a vinyl group at the first position and a straight-chain dodecyl at the third. The tetrafluoroborate anion (BF4-) supplies charge balance and introduces advantageous properties: low viscosity, high ionic conductivity, and resistance to hydrolysis compared to halide counterions. Thanks to this molecular design, the substance moves beyond simple laboratory research and finds footing in industrial electrochemical devices, including advanced batteries and capacitor systems exploring safety and stability.
Specification sheets describe the material as presenting in several forms, from off-white solid flakes and powders to pearl-like crystals or viscous liquids. These diverse morphologies depend on storage temperature, humidity, and synthesis procedure. The density registers typically around 1.01 to 1.08 g/cm³ for the solid or crystalline phases, and laboratories working on scale-up often observe a faint transparency in pearl and crystal samples. Melting points for this ionic liquid can fall in the 40–70°C range, leading to effective application windows across several degrees of moderate heat. Water solubility remains moderate, and compatibility with common organic solvents widens its field use. Experience working with this compound in glove-box atmospheres points out that proper handling eliminates problems associated with moisture reactivity and preserves structural clarity for long-term storage.
This ionic liquid displays strong thermal stability, a property that’s vital in lithium-ion battery research and coating technologies. The material resists typical decomposition under inert atmospheres up to nearly 250°C, surpassing older organic solvents. Its non-flammability and low volatility underline a safer profile compared with standard organic solvents, though respect for the tetrafluoroborate group’s hydrolysis byproducts remains essential. Careful storage away from reactive acids and bases preserves both the anion and cation integrity; exposure to open air can promote trace hydrolysis, occasionally producing hints of boron fluoride gas. Lab protocols always call for PPE and good ventilation when handling larger quantities.
Raw materials such as 1-vinylimidazole and dodecyl bromide feed the synthesis, highlighting the importance of quality starting reagents and solvent purity. In my own laboratory experience, synthesis batches prepared with high-purity reactants always led to more reproducible melting points and sharper spectral peaks. Commercial users look to this ionic liquid for anti-static materials, lubricant additives, and as a supporting electrolyte in electrochemical devices. Some projects have pushed the boundaries by grafting this imidazolium-based liquid onto polymer chains, targeting stimuli-responsive membranes for water treatment and electro-responsive smart gels.
Industrial shipments arrive packaged in sealed drums or high-density polyethylene bottles, pre-weighed in kilograms or liters to maintain NDA compliance and safety data. Powder and flake forms offer easier metering and cleaner transfer into reaction vessels; pearls or crystals serve specialty applications that demand slow dissolution or extended shelf-life. Bulk densities often reflect the packing process, with hand-packed containers trending slightly lower than machine-compacted stock. Product spec sheets and batch records always tie back to explicit density readouts, so that large-scale users adjust dissolution recipes with precision.
The Harmonized System (HS) Code for this ionic liquid most often lands at 2933.99, reflecting classification under heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen heteroatoms. Import checks and regulatory reviews eye the BF4– anion with some scrutiny due to downstream hydrolysis products and disposal requirements. My experience in export logistics has shown that advanced notice and precise material safety data sheets (MSDS) reduce delays and smooth customs clearance. Safe handling, environmental safety, and proper waste disposal always track back to compliance frameworks and training, as the ionic liquid world pushes forward in green chemistry directions.
1-Vinyl-3-Dodecylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate brings a mix of safe operating windows and well-documented hazards. It stands free of flammability risk under standard handling, but improper heat or acid exposure triggers hazardous boron and fluoride-containing gases. Prolonged or repeated contact without gloves irritates the skin, and laboratory eyewash stations provide necessary backup points in scale-up environments. My work with this compound stresses the importance of extracting rigorous risk assessments from real-world batches, not just the theoretical toxins. Staff receive guidance on spill containment and neutralization—never treat ionic liquids as automatically safe just because they lack a vapor pressure.
Down in the trenches of research purchasing, the real constraint hits with sourcing high-purity raw materials. Variability in dodecyl bromide batches shows up quickly during nuclear magnetic resonance checks on the finished ionic liquid. Building tighter supply relationships helped my team cut batch-to-batch loss rates; adopting advanced distillation steps for vinylimidazole cleaned up end-products and sharpened property reproducibility. For researchers, batch testing before scale-up identifies issues before profits and time go sideways. Industry-wide, pooling resources for bulk-purification benefits everyone, especially as regulations tighten around raw boron and fluoride imports.
Academic and industrial researchers exploring new battery chemistries and environmentally safer solvents pay close attention to this compound’s flexibility and thermal window. Targeted modifications on the imidazolium backbone or the anion allow chemical engineers to dial in water compatibility, biocompatibility, and cost. I see future breakthroughs arriving at the intersection of pure synthesis, safer disposal techniques, and open-source supply chain collaboration. On the shop floor, large buyers invest in automatic filling lines, while research users focus on micro-precision aliquoting for pilot projects. Together, better synthesis controls, global safety standards, and data-driven batch reports shape how these materials push science forward, far beyond a simple spot on the periodic table.
