W0032

Polymorphic 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride: In Search of Clues to Make Ionic Salts, Ionic Liquids. Robin D. Rogers and W. Matthew Reichert, Dept. of Chemistry and Center for Green Manufacturing, Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Fax: 205-348-0823, RDRogers@bama.ua.edu.

The ionic salt [C₄mim][Cl], which is a precursor for a multitude of other ionic liquids (ILs), and has interesting properties of its own, has been isolated in two polymorphic forms. While ILs have been gaining considerable attention for their potential use as green solvents, little is understood about their physical properties. We are currently investigating the solid-state structures of low melting IL analogs to gain insight into the weak intermolecular forces responsible for their unique behavior, and to be able to predict their physical properties; especially melting points. This presentation will highlight the molecular and supramolecular features of two polymorphic forms of [C₄mim][Cl] and relate these to their observed melting behavior and subsequent solvent character.