N-Octylimidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate comes from the group of ionic liquids, known for their stability and flexibility across a range of chemical processes. This compound boasts a unique ionic structure: an imidazolium ring attached to an octyl (eight-carbon) chain, paired with a hydrogen sulfate anion. With a chemical formula of C11H21N2O4S, it brings molecular design that impacts both solvating properties and performance in advanced applications. In labs and industry, folks see it as more than just another ionic liquid—it's a material that opens up new approaches for extractive chemistry, catalysis, and green technology.
The physical appearance of N-Octylimidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate can cover a broad spectrum. Depending on purity and precise handling conditions, it appears as a viscous liquid, glossy crystal, or even semi-solid “flakes.” Chemists who work with it describe a density roughly between 1.05 to 1.10 g/cm³ at room temperature. Solutions with this compound often show strong ionic character, meaning high conductivity and solid miscibility with polar solvents—water, alcohols, and select organic formulations among them. Its handling and performance shift slightly with temperature, but its melting point usually hovers around 50-70°C. Packed into jars or shipped in drums, buyers may encounter it as a powdery solid, crystalline pearls, or syrupy liquid, each suitable for different industrial tactics.
This material stands out with a relatively simple molecular backbone. The core is the imidazole ring—a five-membered structure containing two nitrogens—which gives the molecule its charge-bearing capacity and chemical “personality.” The octyl side chain boosts the solubility in less polar environments and adds hydrophobicity that chemists often target for specific reaction frameworks. Coupled with the hydrogen sulfate group, this chemistry allows for tight ion association and reliable ionic conductivity. I’ve seen researchers in green chemistry circles reach for this compound in order to replace volatile solvents, or harness its structure to mediate organic transformations with less waste and lower energy demands.
Usually, chemical suppliers provide detailed specifications for N-Octylimidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate. Purity often reaches 98% or greater, certified by NMR or IR spectroscopy. Moisture content tends to stay below 1% for most commercial lots. You’ll see color descriptions ranging from pale yellow to colorless, and forms stretching from clear liquid to granular flakes. They’re supplied in glass or high-density poly bottles, designed to contain both the liquid and solid format safely for long-term storage. HS Code for tariff and customs: 29252900, slotting it broadly under heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only. Volume is measured in kilograms or liters, with density indicated as needed to ensure accurate formulation and dosing during usage.
Working with N-Octylimidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate means keeping safety up front. Like lots of ionic liquids, it resists easy combustion, but the chemical’s acidic hydrogen sulfate part poses corrosive hazards to skin, eyes, and metal surfaces. Users report mild to moderate irritation when contact occurs, so gloves, goggles, and lab coats are standard issue at the bench. For wages, regulatory frameworks label it as “not acutely toxic”—that means routine exposure won’t cause sudden poisoning—but repeated or careless contact can provoke skin sensitization or environmental accumulation. Disposal demands attention, too; wastewater rules consider it a hazardous material if solutions carry enough concentration to disrupt aquatic systems. Firms storing and shipping it rely on sealed packaging and certified labeling, protecting both handlers and the environment from leaks or vapor release. Material safety data sheets help navigate hazard labeling and first aid steps, and give instruction on spill response—absorb in inert substrates, minimize dust, ventilate affected areas.
The production of this ionic liquid often draws from straightforward starting points, most notably 1-methylimidazole and 1-bromooctane, assembled under controlled reaction conditions. The hydrogen sulfate ion comes from sulfuric acid neutralization. The process balances careful stoichiometry to push completion and avoid excessive by-product formation, considering environmental, safety, and purity standards. Suppliers scale up using batch or continuous methods, guided by quality assurance checks at each step. Chemists value this transparency, as trace contamination in the raw feedstock—either halides or residual amines—can compromise downstream reactivity or physical characteristics. With advances in green chemistry, large-scale plants monitor waste and emissions, often recycling solvents and neutralizing spent acid onsite.
N-Octylimidazolium Hydrogen Sulfate draws attention from industries moving beyond legacy solvents or catalysts. Folks in extraction, separation, and catalytic systems use it to boost selectivity, degrade persistent organics, or facilitate tough bond-forming steps. Applications range from organic synthesis, where it speeds up reactions or simplifies work-up, to electronics and materials science, where it plays a role in fabricating new polymers, electrolytes, or membrane assemblies. In my years visiting chemical labs, I’ve seen researchers lean on its ability to dissolve complex feedstocks, extract dyes or metals, or serve as a base for new ionic fluids tailored toward eco-friendlier industry practices. The push for sustainable chemistry leans on these molecules, turning them from marginal curiosities to necessary raw materials for next-generation materials and greener manufacturing.
