Photoresponsible Ionic Liquid

Abstract

Several imidazolium salts are shown to be liquid even at room temperature. These ionic liquids are focused as the absolutely new medium for organic reaction and electric cell because of its Green properties. We herein put photofunctionality into the imidazolium salts, showing photoresponsive ionic liquids. An azobenzene moiety is introduced as the photoresponsive module into the imidazolinium salts through a spacer chain. 4,4'-positioned bis (imidazolinium) azobenzene melts at 95°C, while its cis/trans (1/2 molar ratio) mixture does at -30°C. Ionic conductivity of Li⁺ ion doped this ionic liquid will be discussed.