| abstract |
This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker, which compounds may be represented by the structure of the following Formula I: n n n n n n n n n n wherein:n (a) Z is —(CH 2 ) n —, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 12; (b) R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are each independently H or a C 1 to C 6 straight-chain or branched alkyl group; and (c) A − is levulinate, —[CF 3 —O—CFHCF 2 SO 3 ]—, [CF 3 CF 2 OCFHCF 2 SO 3 ]—, or [CF 3 CF 2 CF 2 OCFHCF 2 SO 3 ]—. |