Patent Publication Number: US-2007100184-A1

Title: Alkylation of aromatic compounds

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a process for making alkylated aromatic compounds.  
     BACKGROUND  
      The alkylation of aromatic compounds such as benzene and benzene derivatives with olefins is carried out on a large scale in the chemical industry (Perego and Ingallina (Catalysis Today (2002) 73:3-22) and Almeida, et al. (JAOCS (1994) 71:675-694). Alkyl benzenes have many industrial uses. For example, ethyl benzene, formed by the reaction of ethylene with benzene, is an intermediate in styrene production. Alkylation of benzene with propylene yields cumene, an intermediate in phenol and acetone production. Linear alkyl benzenes are synthesized from the reaction of longer-chain olefins (ca. 10-18 carbon atoms) with benzene or benzene derivatives; the linear alkyl benzenes are then sulfonated to produce surfactants.  
      One disadvantage to these reactions is the cost associated with separating the catalyst from the reaction product(s). It would be advantageous to carry out the alkylation reaction in such a way that the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction product(s).  
      Ionic liquids are liquids composed of ions that are liquid around or below 100° C. (Science (2003) 302:792-793). Ionic liquids exhibit negligible vapor pressure, and with increasing regulatory pressure to limit the use of traditional industrial solvents due to environmental considerations such as volatile emissions and aquifer and drinking water contamination, much research has been devoted to designing ionic liquids that could function as replacements for conventional solvents.  
      U.S. Patent No. 5,824,832 provides a process for making a linear alkyl benzene using an ionic liquid as the catalyst.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a process for carrying out aromatic alkylation reactions using ionic liquids as solvent. The use of ionic liquids as the solvent for this reaction allows for ready separation of the product(s) from the catalyst.  
      The present invention relates to a process for making at least one alkylated aromatic compound of the Formula:  
                 
 
 wherein: 
 
      a) Q 1  is H, —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or CH 3 —CH—CH 3 ;  
      b) Q 2  is H, —CH 3  or —C 2 H 5 ; and  
      c) Q 3  is —C 2 H 5  or C 3  to C 18  straight chain alkyl group having therein a single CH group, the carbon atom of which is bonded to the aromatic compound;  
      by a process comprising:  
      (A) reacting a C 2  to C 18  straight-chain monoolefin with an aromatic compound of the Formula:  
                 
 
 wherein Q 1  and Q 2  are as defined above; 
      in at least one ionic liquid of the Formula Z+A−, wherein Z+ and A− are defined as in the Detailed Description; in the presence of at least one acid catalyst that is soluble in the ionic liquid, at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 200° C., and a pressure between atmospheric pressure and that pressure required to maintain the reactants in a liquid state, to form a reaction product that comprises an organic phase that contains the at least one alkyl aromatic compound and an ionic liquid phase that contains the acid catalyst, and    

      (B) separating the organic phase comprising the at least one alkylated aromatic compound from the ionic liquid phase.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a process for alkylating aromatic compounds with monoolefins in the presence of an ionic liquid solvent. The use of an ionic liquid as the solvent for the aromatic alkylation reaction is advantageous because it allows the product(s) to be recovered in an organic phase, whereas the acid catalyst is recovered in an ionic liquid phase, allowing easy separation of the product(s) from the acid catalyst.  
      Definitions  
      In this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. The following definitions are provided.  
      By “ionic liquid” is meant an organic salt that is liquid around or below 100° C.  
      By “alkyl” is meant a monovalent radical having the general Formula C n H 2n+1 . “Monovalent” means having a valence of one.  
      By “hydrocarbyl” is meant a monovalent group containing only carbon and hydrogen.  
      By “catalyst” is meant a substance that affects the rate of the reaction but not the reaction equilibrium, and emerges from the process chemically unchanged.  
      By “homogeneous acid catalyst” is meant a catalyst that is molecularly dispersed with the reactants in the same phase.  
      When referring to an alkane, alkene, alkoxy, fluoroalkoxy, perfluoroalkoxy, fluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, the term “optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of” means that one or more hydrogens on the carbon chain may be independently substituted with one or more of at least one member of the group. For example, substituted C 2 H 5  may be, without limitations, CF 2 CF 3 , CH 2 CH 2 OH or CF 2 CF 2 I.  
      The expression “C 1  to C n  straight-chain or branched”, where n is an integer defining the length of the carbon chain, is meant to indicate that C 1  and C 2  are straight-chain, and C 3  to C n  may be straight-chain or branched.  
      The present invention relates to a process for making at least one alkylated aromatic compound of the Formula:  
                 
 
 wherein: 
 
      a) Q 1  is H, —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or CH 3 —CH—CH 3 ;  
      b) Q 2  is H, —CH 3  or —C 2 H 5 ; and  
      c) Q 3  is —C 2 H 5  or C 3  to C 18  straight chain alkyl group having therein a single CH group, the carbon atom of which is bonded to the aromatic compound.  
      In one embodiment of the invention, Q 1  and Q 2  are both H.  
      The production of at least one alkylated aromatic compound is carried out by a process comprising: 
          (A) reacting a C 2  to C 18  straight-chain monoolefin with an aromatic compound of the Formula:  
                 
 
 wherein Q 1  and Q 2  are as defined above; 
        in at least one ionic liquid of the Formula Z + A − , wherein Z + is a cation selected from the group consisting of:  
                 
 
 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5  and R 6  are independently selected from the group consisting of: 
        (i) H     (ii) halogen     (iii) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (iv) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene comprising one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of 0, N and S, and optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (v) C 6  to C 25  unsubstituted aryl or unsubstituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and     (vi) C 6  to C 25  substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and wherein said substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl has one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of 
            (1) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH,     (2) OH,     (3) NH 2 , and     (4) SH; 
 
 R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 110  are independently selected from the group consisting of: 
   
            (vii) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (viii) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene comprising one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, and optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (ix) C 6  to C 25  unsubstituted aryl, or C 3  to C 25  unsubstituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and     (x) C 6  to C 25  substituted aryl, or C 3  to C 25  substituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and wherein said substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl has one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of 
            (1) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25  straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH,     (2) OH,     (3) NH 2 , and     (4) SH; 
 
 wherein optionally at least two of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  can together form a cyclic or bicyclic alkanyl or alkenyl group; and 
   
           
       

      A −  is R 11 —SO 3   −  or (R 12 —SO 2 ) 2 N − ; wherein R 11  and R 12  are independently selected from the group consisting of: 
          (a) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (b) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene comprising one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, and optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH;     (c) C 6  to C 25  unsubstituted aryl or unsubstituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and     (d) C 6  to C 25  substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl having one to three heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; and wherein said substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl has one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: 
            (1) —CH 3 , —C 2 H 5 , or C 3  to C 25 , preferably C 3  to C 20 , straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkane or alkene, optionally substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, F, I, OH, NH 2  and SH,     (2) OH,     (3) NH 2 , and     (4) SH; 
 
 in the presence of at least one acid catalyst that is soluble in the ionic liquid, and 
   
            (B) separating the organic phase comprising the at least one alkylated aromatic compound from the ionic liquid phase.        

      In a more specific embodiment, A− is selected from the group consisting of: [CH 3 OSO 3 ] − , [C 2 H 5 OSO 3 ] − , [CF3SO 3 ] − , [HCF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 3 HFCCF 2 SO 3 ] − , [HCClFCF 2 SO 3 ] − , [(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N] − , [(CF 3 CF 2 SO 2 ) 2 N] − , [CF 3 OCFHCF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 3 CF 2 OCFHCF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 3 CF 2 CF 2 OCFHCF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 3 CFHOCF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 2 HCF 2 OCF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ] − , [CF 2 ICF 2 OCF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ], [CF 3 CF 2 OCF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ] − , and [(CF 2 HCF SO   2 ) 2 N] − , [(CF 3 CFHCF 2 SO 2 ) 2 N] − .  
      In an even more specific embodiment, the ionic liquid Z + A − is selected from the group consisting of 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-propyl-3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)imidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-3-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)imidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1 ,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoropropoxy)ethanesulfonate, tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate, tetradecyl(tri-n-butyl)phosphonium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate, tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)sulfonate, 1 -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(perfluoropropoxy)sulfonate, (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1-methyl-3-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)imidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, tetra-n-butylphosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate tetra-n-butylphosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate and tetra-n-butylphosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoropropoxy)ethanesulfonate.  
      The ionic liquid comprises from about 1% to about 75% by weight of the reaction solution.  
      The at least one catalyst is a homogeneous acid catalyst. In one embodiment of the invention, suitable homogeneous acid catalysts are those having a pKa of less than about 4; in another embodiment, suitable homogeneous acid catalysts are those having a pKa of less than about 2.  
      In one embodiment, the at least one catalyst is a homogeneous acid catalyst selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids, organic sulfonic acids, heteropolyacids, fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, metal sulfonates, metal trifluoroacetates, and combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the at least one catalyst is a homogeneous acid catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, fluorosulfonic acid, phosphorous acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, nonafluorobutanesulfonic acid, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonic acid, bismuth triflate, yttrium triflate, ytterbium triflate, neodymium triflate, lanthanum triflate, scandium triflate, and zirconium triflate.  
      Most of the catalysts may be obtained commercially. The catalysts not available commercially may be synthesized as described in the following references: U.S. Patent No. 2,403,207, Rice, et al. (Inorg. Chem., 1991, 30:4635-4638), Coffman, etal. (J. Org. Chem., 1949, 14:747-753 and Koshar, et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1953) 75:4595-4596).  
      The catalyst loading is from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight of the reaction solution comprising the aromatic compound, the monoolefin and the at least one ionic liquid. In one embodiment the catalyst loading is from about 0.1% to about 10%. In still another embodiment, the catalyst loading is from about 0.1% to about 5%.  
      The aromatic compound is benzene or a benzene-derivative, such as toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene or isopropyl benzene.  
      The reaction is carried out at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 200° C., and a pressure between atmospheric pressure and that pressure required to maintain the reactants in a liquid state. In one embodiment of the invention, the reaction is carried out at about 25° C. and the pressure is atmospheric pressure.  
      The molar ratio of aromatic compound to monoolefin will depend upon the desired reaction product, i.e. whether monoadduct or the addition of two or more alkyl groups to the aromatic compound is the object of the reaction. If monoadduct is the desired product, a molar excess of the aromatic preferably is used, more preferably at least about 3:1 aromatic compound to monoolefin, still more preferably at least about 4:1, and most preferably at least about 8:1.  
      The aromatic alkylation reaction may be carried out in batch, sequential batch (i.e., a series of batch reactors) or in continuous mode in any of the equipment customarily employed for continuous process (see for example, H. S. Fogler, Elementary Chemical Reaction Engineering, Prentice-Hall, Inc., N.J., USA). One skilled in the art will recognize that at higher temperatures or pressures a sealed vessel or pressure vessel is required.  
      Cations and Anions of the Ionic Liquids  
      Cations of ionic liquids useful for the invention are available commercially, or may be synthesized by methods known to those skilled in the art. The fluoroalkyl sulfonate anions may be synthesized from perfluorinated terminal olefins or perfluorinated vinyl ethers generally according to the method of Koshar, et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1953) 75:4595-4596); in one embodiment, sulfite and bisulfite are used as the buffer in place of bisulfite and borax, and in another embodiment, the reaction is carried in the absence of a radical initiator. 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate, 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate, and 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate may be synthesized according to Koshar, et al. (supra), with modifications. Preferred modifications include using a mixture of sulfite and bisulfite as the buffer, freeze drying or spray drying to isolate the crude 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate and 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate products from the aqueous reaction mixture, using acetone to extract the crude 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate and 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate salts, and crystallizing 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate and 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate from the reaction mixture by cooling.  
      The at least one ionic liquid useful for the invention may be obtained commercially, or may be synthesized using the cations and anions by methods well known to those skilled in the art.  
      General Procedure for Synthesizing Ionic Liquids that are not Miscible with Water:  
      Solution #1 is made by dissolving a known amount of the halide salt of the cation in deionized water. This may involve heating to ensure total dissolution. Solution #2 is made by dissolving an approximately equimolar amount (relative to the cation) of the potassium or sodium salt of the anion in deionized water. This may also involve heating to ensure total dissolution. Although it is not necessary to use equimolar quantities of the cation and anion, a 1:1 equimolar ratio minimizes the impurities obtained by the reaction. The two aqueous solutions (#1 and #2) are mixed and stirred at a temperature that optimizes the separation of the desired product phase as either an oil or a solid on the bottom of the flask. In one embodiment, the aqueous solutions are mixed and stirred at room temperature, however the optimal temperature may be higher or lower based on the conditions necessary to achieve optimal product separation. The water layer is separated, and the product is washed several times with deionized water to remove chloride or bromide impurities. An additional base wash may help to remove acidic impurities. The product is then diluted with an appropriate organic solvent (chloroform, methylene chloride, etc.) and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate or other preferred drying agent. The appropriate organic solvent is one that is miscible with the ionic liquid and that can be dried. The drying agent is removed by suction filtration and the organic solvent is removed in vacuo. High vacuum is applied for several hours or until residual water is removed. The final product is usually in the form of a liquid. All are liquids around or below 100° C.  
      General Procedure for the Synthesis of Ionic Liquids that are Miscible with Water:  
      Solution #1 is made by dissolving a known amount of the halide salt of the cation in an appropriate solvent. This may involve heating to ensure total dissolution. Preferably the solvent is one in which the cation and anion are soluble, and in which the salts formed by the reaction are minimally soluble; in addition, the appropriate solvent is preferably one that has a relatively low boiling point such that the solvent can be easily removed after the reaction. Appropriate solvents include, but are not limited to, high purity dry acetone, ethanols such as methanol and ethanol, and acetonitrile. Solution #2 is made by dissolving an equimolar amount (relative to the cation) of the salt (generally potassium or sodium) of the anion in an appropriate solvent, typically the same as that used for the cation. This may also involve heating to ensure total dissolution. The two solutions (#1 and #2) are mixed and stirred under conditions that result in approximately complete precipitation of the halide salt byproduct (generally potassium halide or sodium halide); in one embodiment of the invention, the solutions are mixed and stirred at approximately room temperature for about 4-12 hours. The halide salt is removed by suction filtration through an acetone/celite pad, and color can be reduced through the use of decolorizing carbon as is known to those skilled in the art. The solvent is removed in vacuo and then high vacuum is applied for several hours or until residual water is removed. The final product is usually in the form of a liquid.  
      The physical and. chemical properties of ionic liquids can be specifically selected by choice of the appropriate cation and anion. For example, increasing the chain length of one or more alkyl chains of the cation will affect properties such as the melting point, hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, density and solvation strength of the ionic liquid. Choice of the anion can affect, for example, the melting point, the water solubility and the acidity and coordination properties of the composition. Effects of cation and anion on the physical and chemical properties of ionic liquids are known to those skilled in the art and are reviewed in detail by Wasserscheid and Keim (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2000) 39:3772-3789) and Sheldon (Chem. Commun. (2001) 2399-2407).  
      An advantage to the use of an ionic liquid in this reaction is that the reaction product comprises an organic phase that contains the at least one alkyl aromatic compound and an ionic liquid phase that contains the acid catalyst. Thus the at least one alkyl aromatic compound in the organic phase is easily recoverable from the acid catalyst by, for example, decantation. The acid catalyst in the ionic liquid may be recycled and used in subsequent reactions. 
    
    
     EXAMPLES  
      The following abbreviations are used: Nuclear magnetic resonance is abbreviated NMR; gas chromatography is abbreviated GC; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is abbreviated GC-MS; thin layer chromatography is abbreviated TLC; thermogravimetric analysis (using a Universal V3.9A TA instrument analyzer (TA Instruments, Inc., New Castle, Del.)) is abbreviated TGA. Centigrade is abbreviated C, megaPascal is abbreviated MPa, gram is abbreviated g, kilogram is abbreviated kg, milliliter(s) is abbreviated ml(s), hour is abbreviated hr; weight percent is abbreviated wt %; milliequivalents is abbreviated meq; melting point is abbreviated Mp; differential scanning calorimetry is abbreviated DSC.  
      Butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-hexadecyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride, 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, imidazole, tetrahydrofuran, iodopropane, acetonitrile, iodoperfluorohexane, toluene, 1,3-propanediol, oleum (20% SO 3 ), sodium sulfite (Na 2 SO 3 , 98%), and acetone were obtained from Acros (Hampton, N.H.). Potassium metabisulfite (K 2 S 2 O 5 , 99%), was obtained from Mallinckrodt Laboratory Chemicals (Phillipsburg, N.J.). Potassium sulfite hydrate (KHSO 3 .xH 2 O, 95%), sodium bisulfite (NaHSO 3 ), sodium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, phosphotungstic acid, ethyl ether, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-tridecafluoro-8-iodooctane, trioctyl phosphine and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (98%) were obtained from Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). Sulfuric acid and methylene chloride were obtained from EMD Chemicals, Inc. (Gibbstown, N.J.). Perfluoro(ethyl vinyl ether), perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), hexafluoropropene and tetrafluoroethylene were obtained from DuPont Fluoroproducts (Wilmington, Del.). 1-Butyl-methylimidazolium chloride was obtained from Fluka (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). Tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide and tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium chloride were obtained from Cytec (Canada Inc., Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada). 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)sulfonate was obtained from SynQuest Laboratories, Inc. (Alachua, Fla.).  
     Preparation of Anions not Generally Available Commercially  
     (A) Synthesis of Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K):  
      A 1-gallon Hastelloy® C276 reaction vessel was charged with a solution of potassium sulfite hydrate (176 g, 1.0 mol), potassium metabisulfite (610 g, 2.8 mol) and deionized water (2000 ml). The pH of this solution was 5.8. The vessel was cooled to 18° C., evacuated to 0.10 MPa, and purged with nitrogen. The evacuate/purge cycle was repeated two more times. To the vessel was then added tetrafluoroethylene (TFE, 66 g), and it was heated to 100° C. at which time the inside pressure was 1.14 MPa. The reaction temperature was increased to 125° C. and kept there for 3 hr. As the TFE pressure decreased due to the reaction, more TFE was added in small aliquots (20-30 g each) to maintain operating pressure roughly between 1.14 and 1.48 MPa. Once 500 g (5.0 mol) of TFE had been fed after the initial 66 g precharge, the vessel was vented and cooled to 25° C. The pH of the clear light yellow reaction solution was 10-11. This solution was buffered to pH 7 through the addition of potassium metabisulfite (16 g).  
      The water was removed in vacuo on a rotary evaporator to produce a wet solid. The solid was then placed in a freeze dryer (Virtis Freezemobile 35xl; Gardiner, N.Y.) for 72 hr to reduce the water content to approximately 1.5 wt % (1387 g crude material). The theoretical mass of total solids was 1351 g. The mass balance was very close to ideal and the isolated solid had slightly higher mass due to moisture. This added freeze drying step had the advantage of producing a free-flowing white powder whereas treatment in a vacuum oven resulted in a soapy solid cake that was very difficult to remove and had to be chipped and broken out of the flask.  
      The crude TFES-K can be further purified and isolated by extraction with reagent grade acetone, filtration, and drying.  
       19 F NMR (D 2 O) δ−122.0 (dt, J FH =6 Hz, J FF =6 Hz, 2F); −136.1 (dt, J FH =53 Hz, 2F).  1 H NMR (D 2 O) δ86.4 (tt, J FH =53 Hz, J FH =6 Hz, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 580 ppm. Analytical calculation for C 2 HO 3 F 4 SK: C, 10.9: H, 0.5: N, 0.0 Experimental results: C, 11.1: H, 0.7: N, 0.2. Mp (DSC): 242° C. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 367° C., 50% wt. loss @ 375° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 363° C., 50% wt. loss @ 375° C.  
     (B) Synthesis of Potassium-1.1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TPES-K):  
      A 1-gallon Hastelloy® C276 reaction vessel was charged with a solution of potassium sulfite hydrate (88 g, 0.56 mol), potassium metabisulfite (340 g, 1.53 mol) and deionized water (2000 ml). The vessel was cooled to 7° C., evacuated to 0.05 MPa, and purged with nitrogen. The evacuate/purge cycle was repeated two more times. To the vessel was then added perfluoro(ethyl vinyl ether) (PEVE, 600 g, 2.78 mol), and it was heated to 125° C. at which time the inside pressure was 2.31 MPa. The reaction temperature was maintained at 125° C. for 10 hr. The pressure dropped to 0.26 MPa at which point the vessel was vented and cooled to 25° C. The crude reaction product was a white crystalline precipitate with a colorless aqueous layer (pH=7) above it.  
      The  19 F NMR spectrum of the white solid showed pure desired product, while the spectrum of the aqueous layer showed a small but detectable amount of a fluorinated impurity. The desired product is less soluble in water so it precipitated in pure form.  
      The product slurry was suction filtered through a fritted glass funnel, and the wet cake was dried in a vacuum oven (60° C., 0.01 MPa) for 48 hr. The product was obtained as off-white crystals (904 g, 97% yield).  
       19 F NMR (D 2 O) δ −86.5(s, 3F); −89.2, −91.3 (subsplit ABq, J FF =147 Hz, 2F); −119.3, −121.2 (subsplit ABq, J FF =258Hz, 2F); −144.3 (dm, J FH =53Hz, 1F).  1 H NMR (D 2 O) δ 6.7 (dm, J  FH =53 Hz, 1H). Mp (DSC) 263° C. Analytical calculation for C 4 HO 4 F 8 SK: C, 14.3: H, 0.3 Experimental results: C, 14.1: H, 0.3. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 359° C., 50% wt. loss @ 367° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 362° C., 50% wt. loss @ 374° C.  
     (C) Synthesis of Potassium-1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TTES-K)  
      A 1-gallon Hastelloy® C276 reaction vessel was charged with a solution of potassium sulfite hydrate (114 g, 0.72 mol), potassium metabisulfite (440 g, 1.98 mol) and deionized water (2000 ml). The pH of this solution was 5.8. The vessel was cooled to −35° C., evacuated to 0.08 MPa, and purged with nitrogen. The evacuate/purge cycle was repeated two more times. To the vessel was then added perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE, 600 g, 3.61 mol) and it was heated to 125° C. at which time the inside pressure was 3.29 MPa. The reaction temperature was maintained at 125° C. for 6 hr. The pressure dropped to 0.27 MPa at which point the vessel was vented and cooled to 25° C. Once cooled, a white crystalline precipitate of the desired product formed leaving a colorless clear aqueous solution above it (pH=7).  
      The  19 F NMR spectrum of the white solid showed pure desired product, while the spectrum of the aqueous layer showed a small but detectable amount of a fluorinated impurity.  
      The solution was suction filtered through a fritted glass funnel for 6 hr to remove most of the water. The wet cake was then dried in a vacuum oven at 0.01 MPa and 50° C. for 48 hr. This gave 854 g (83% yield) of a white powder. The final product was pure (by  19 F and  1 H NMR) since the undesired product remained in the water during filtration.  
       19 F NMR (D 2 O) δ −59.9(d, J FH =4 Hz, 3F); −119.6, −120.2 (subsplit ABq, J=260 Hz, 2F); −144.9 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1F).  1 H NMR (D 2 O) δ 6.6 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 71 ppm. Analytical calculation for C 3 HF 6 SO 4 K: C, 12.6: H, 0.4: N, 0.0 Experimental results: C, 12.6: H, 0.0: N, 0.1. Mp (DSC) 257° C. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 343° C., 50% wt. loss @ 358° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 341° C., 50% wt. loss @ 357° C.  
     (D) Synthesis of Sodium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate (HFPS-Na)  
      A 1-gallon Hastelloy® C reaction vessel was charged with a solution of anhydrous sodium sulfite (25 g, 0.20 mol), sodium bisulfite 73 g, (0.70 mol) and of deionized water (400 ml). The pH of this solution was 5.7. The vessel was cooled to 4° C., evacuated to 0.08 MPa, and then charged with hexafluoropropene (HFP, 120 g, 0.8 mol, 0.43 MPa). The vessel was heated with agitation to 120° C. and kept there for 3 hr. The pressure rose to a maximum of 1.83 MPa and then dropped down to 0.27 MPa within 30 minutes. At the end, the vessel was cooled and the remaining HFP was vented, and the reactor was purged with nitrogen. The final solution had a pH of 7.3.  
      The water was removed in vacuo on a rotary evaporator to produce a wet solid. The solid was then placed in a vacuum oven (0.02 MPa, 140° C., 48 hr) to produce 219 g of white solid which contained approximately 1 wt % water. The theoretical mass of total solids was 217 g.  
      The crude HFPS-Na can be further purified and isolated by extraction with reagent grade acetone, filtration, and drying.  
       19 F NMR (D 2 O) δ −74.5 (m, 3F); −113.1, −120.4 (ABq, J=264 Hz, 2F); −211.6 (dm, 1F).  1 H NMR (D 2 O) δ 5.8 (dm, J FH =43 Hz, 1H). Mp (DSC) 126° C. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 326° C., 50% wt. loss @ 446° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 322° C., 50% wt. loss @ 449° C.  
     Preparation of Catalysts Not Generally Available Commercially  
     (E) Synthesis of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic Acid (TFESA)  
      A 100 mL round bottomed flask with a sidearm and equipped with a digital thermometer and magnetic stirr bar was placed in an ice bath under positive nitrogen pressure. To the flask was added 50 g crude TFES-K (from synthesis (A) above), 30 g of concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) and 78 g oleum (20 wt % SO 3 ) while stirring. The amount of oleum was chosen such that there would be a slight excess of SO 3  after the SO 3  reacted with and removed the water in the sulfuric acid and the crude TFES-K. The mixing caused a small exotherm, which was controlled by the ice bath. Once the exotherm was over, a distillation head with a water condenser was placed on the flask, and the flask was heated under nitrogen behind a safety shield. The pressure was slowly reduced using a PTFE membrane vacuum pump (Buchi V-500, Buchi Analytical, Inc., Wilmington, Del.) in steps of 100 Torr (13 kPa) in order to avoid foaming. A dry-ice trap was placed between the distillation apparatus and the pump to collect any excess SO 3 . When the pot temperature reached 120° C. and the pressure was held at 20-30 Torr (2.7-4.0 kPa) a colorless liquid started to reflux which distilled at 110° C. and 31 Torr (4.1 kPa). A forerun of lower-boiling impurity (2.0 g) was obtained before collecting 28 g of the desired colorless acid, TFESA.  
      It was calculated that approximately 39.8 g TFES-K was present in the 50 g of impure TFES-K. Thus, the 28 g of product is an 85% yield of TFESA from TFES-K, as well as an 85% overall yield from TFE. Analysis gave the following results:  19 F NMR (CD 3 OD) −125.2dt, 3JFH=6 Hz, 3J FF =8Hz, 2F); −137.6 (dt,  2 J FH =53 Hz, 2F). 1H NMR (CD 3 OD) 6.3 (tt, 3J FH =6 Hz, 2J FH =53 Hz,  1 H).  
     (F) Synthesis of 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexfluoropropanesulfonic Acid (HFPSA)  
      A 100 mL round bottomed flask with a sidearm and equipped with a digital thermometer and magnetic stirr bar was placed in an ice bath under positive nitrogen pressure. To the flask was added 50 g crude sodium hexafluoropropanesulfonate (HFPS-Na) (from synthesis (D) above), 30 g of concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) and 58.5 g oleum (20 wt % SO 3 ) while stirring.  
      The amount of oleum was chosen such that there would be a slight excess of SO 3  after the SO 3  reacted with and removed the water in the sulfuric acid and the crude HFPSA. The mixing caused a small exotherm, which was controlled by the ice bath. Once the exotherm was over, a distillation head with a water condenser was placed on the flask, and the flask was heated under nitrogen behind a safety shield. The pressure was slowly reduced using a PTFE membrane vacuum pump in steps of 100 Torr (13 kPa) in order to avoid foaming. A dry-ice trap was placed between the distillation apparatus and the pump to collect any excess SO 3 . When the pot temperature reached 100° C. and the pressure was held at 20-30 Torr (2.7-4 kPa) a colorless liquid started to reflux and later distilled at 118° C. and 23 Torr (3.1 kPa). A forerun of lower-boiling impurity (1.5 g) was obtained before collecting 36.0 g of the desired acid, hexafluoropropanesulfonic acid (HFPS).  
      It was calculated that approximately 44 g HFPS-Na was present in 50 g of impure HFPS-Na. Thus, the 36.0 g of HFPSA product was an 89% yield from HFPS-Na, as well as an 84% overall yield from HFP.  
      19F NMR (D 2 O) −74.5m, 3F); −113.1, −120.4 (ABq, J=264 Hz, 2F); −211.6 (dm, 1F). 1H NMR (D 2 O) 5.8 (dm, 2JFH=43 Hz, 1H).  
     Preparation of Ionic Liquids  
     (G) Synthesis of 1 -butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate  
      1-Butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride (22.8 g, 0.121 moles) was mixed with reagent-grade acetone (250 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 26.6 g, 0.121 moles) was added to reagent grade acetone (250 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride solution. The large flask was lowered into an oil bath and heated at  60 ° C. under reflux for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KCl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone. The product was isolated and dried under vacuum at 150° C. for 2 days.  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.9 (t, 3H); 1.3 (m, 2H); 1.7 (m, 2H); 2.6 (s, 3H); 3.8 (s, 3H); 4.1 (t, 2H); 6.4 (tt, 1H); 7.58 (s, 1H); 7.62 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fischer titration: 0.06%. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 375° C., 50% wt. loss @ 415° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 395° C., 50% wt. loss @ 425° C. The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
     (H) Synthesis of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (Bmim-TFES)  
      1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (60.0 g) and high purity dry acetone (&gt;99.5%, 300 ml) were combined in a 1 liter flask and warmed to reflux with magnetic stirring until the solid completely dissolved. At room temperature in a separate 1 liter flask, potassium-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonte (TFES-K, 75.6 g) was dissolved in high purity dry acetone (500 ml). These two solutions were combined at room temperature and allowed to stir magnetically for 2 hr under positive nitrogen pressure. The stirring was stopped and the KCl precipitate was allowed to settle, then removed by suction filtration through a fritted glass funnel with a celite pad. The acetone was removed in vacuo to give a yellow oil. The oil was further purified by diluting with high purity acetone (100 ml) and stirring with decolorizing carbon (5 g). The mixture was again suction filtered and the acetone removed in vacuo to give a colorless oil. This was further dried at 4 Pa and 25° C. for 6 hr to provide 83.6 g of product.  
       9 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −124.7 (dt, J=6 Hz, J=8 Hz, 2F); −136.8 (dt, J=53 Hz, 2F).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 0.9 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); 1.3 (m, 2H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H); 6.3 (dt, J=53 Hz, J=6Hz, 1H); 7.4 (s, 1H); 7.5 (s, 1H); 8.7 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.14%. Analytical calculation for C 9 H 12 F 6 N 2 O 3 S: C, 37.6: H, 4.7: N, 8.8. Experimental Results: C, 37.6: H, 4.6: N, 8.7. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 380° C., 50% wt. loss @ 420° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 375° C., 50% wt. loss @ 422° C.  
     (I) Synthesis of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2.2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (Emim-TFES)  
      To a 500 ml round bottom flask was added 1-ethyl-3methylimidazolium chloride (Emim-Cl, 98%, 61.0 g) and reagent grade acetone (500 ml). The mixture was gently warmed (50° C.) until almost all of the Emim-Cl dissolved. To a separate 500 ml flask was added potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 90.2 g) along with reagent grade acetone (350 ml). This second mixture was stirred magnetically at 24° C. until all of the TFES-K dissolved.  
      These solutions were combined in a 1 liter flask producing a milky white suspension. The mixture was stirred at 24° C. for 24 hrs. The KCl precipitate was then allowed to settle leaving a clear green solution above it.  
      The reaction mixture was filtered once through a celite/acetone pad and again through a fritted glass funnel to remove the KCl. The acetone was removed in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 25° C.) for 2 hr. The product was a viscous light yellow oil (76.0 g, 64% yield).  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −124.7 (dt, J FH =6 Hz, J FF =6 Hz, 2F); −138.4 (dt, J FH =53 Hz, 2F).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 1.3 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); 3.7 (s, 3H); 4.0 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H); 6.1 (tt, J FH =53 Hz, J FH =6 Hz, 1H); 7.2 (s, 1H); 7.3 (s, 1H); 8.5 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.18%. Analytical calculation for C 8 H 12 N 2 O 3 F 4 S: C, 32.9: H, 4.1: N, 9.6 Found: C, 33.3: H, 3.7: N, 9.6. Mp 45-46° C. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 379° C., 50% wt. loss @ 420° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 378° C., 50% wt. loss @ 418° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
     (J) Synthesis of 1 -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate (Emim-HFPS)  
      To a 1 l round bottom flask was added 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (Emim-Cl, 98%, 50.5 g) and reagent grade acetone (400 ml). The mixture was gently warmed (50° C.) until almost all of the Emim-Cl dissolved. To a separate 500 ml flask was added potassium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate (HFPS-K, 92.2 g) along with reagent grade acetone (300 ml). This second mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature until all of the HFPS-K dissolved.  
      These solutions were combined and stirred under positive N 2  pressure at 26° C. for 12 hr producing a milky white suspension. The KCl precipitate was allowed to settle overnight leaving a clear yellow solution above it.  
      The reaction mixture was filtered once through a celite/acetone pad and again through a fritted glass funnel. The acetone was removed in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 25° C.) for 2 hr. The product was a viscous light yellow oil (103.8 g, 89% yield).  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −73.8 (s, 3F); −114.5, −121.0 (ABq, J=258 Hz, 2F); −210.6 (m,1 F, J HF =41.5 Hz).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 1.4 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H,); 5.8 (m, J HF =41.5 Hz, 1H,); 7.7 (s, 1 H); 7.8 (s, 1H); 9.1 (s,1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.12%. Analytical calculation for C 9 H 12 N 2 O 3 F 6 S: C, 31.5: H, 3.5: N, 8.2. Experimental Results: C, 30.9: H, 3.3: N, 7.8. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 342° C., 50% wt. loss @ 373° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 341° C., 50% wt. loss@ 374° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
 (K) Synthesis of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate 
 
      1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (10 g, 0.0493 moles) was mixed with reagent-grade acetone (100 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously under a nitrogen blanket. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane sulfonate (TFES-K, 10 g, 0.0455 moles) was added to reagent grade acetone (100 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/acetone mixture. The mixture was left to stir overnight. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KCl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone.  
      Appearance: pale yellow, viscous liquid at room temperature.  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.9 (t, 3H); 1.3 (m, 6H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, 2H); 6.4 (tt,1 H); 7.7(s, 1 H); 7.8 (s, 1H); 9.1 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fischer titration: 0.03% TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 365° C., 50% wt. loss @ 410° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 370° C., 50% wt. loss @ 415° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
 (L) Synthesis of 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1.2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate 
 
      1-Dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (34.16 g, 0.119 moles) was partially dissolved in reagent-grade acetone (400 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 26.24 g, 0.119 moles) was added to reagent grade acetone (400 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solution. The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. under reflux for approximately 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KCl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone.  
       1 H NMR (CD 3 CN): δ 0.9 (t, 3H); 1.3 (m. 18H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, 2H 6.4 (tt, 1H); 7.7(s, 1H); 7.8 (s, 1H); 9.1 (s, 1H).  19 F NMR (CD 3 CN): δ −125.3 (m, 2F); −137 (dt, 2F). % Water by Karl-Fischer titration : 0.24% TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 370° C., 50% wt. loss @ 410° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 375° C., 50% wt. loss @ 410° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
 (M) Synthesis of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate 
 
      1-Hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (17.0 g, 0.0496 moles) was partially dissolved in reagent-grade acetone (100 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 10.9 g, 0.0495 moles) was added to reagent grade acetone (100 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solution. The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. under reflux for approximately 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KCl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone.  
      Appearance: white solid at room temperature.  
       1 H NMR (CD 3 CN): δ 0.9 (t, 3H); 1.3 (m, 26H); 1.9 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, 2H); 6.3 (tt, 1H); 7.4 (s, 1H); 7.4 (s,1H); 8.6 (s, 1H).  19 F NMR (CD 3 CN): δ −125.2 (m, 2F); −136.9 (dt, 2F). % Water by Karl-Fischer titration: 200 ppm. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 360° C., 50% wt. loss @ 395° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 370° C., 50% wt. loss @ 400° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
 (N) Synthesis of 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate 
 
      1-Octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (17.0 g, 0.0458 moles) was partially dissolved in reagent-grade acetone (200 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 10.1 g, 0.0459 moles), was added to reagent grade acetone (200 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solution. The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. under reflux for approximately 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KCl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone.  
       1 H NMR (CD 3 CN): δ 0.9 (t, 3H); 1.3 (m, 30H); 1.9 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.1 (t, 2H); 6.3 (tt, 1H); 7.4(s, 1H); 7.4 (s, 1H); 8.5 (s, 1H).  19 F NMR (CD 3 CN):δ −125.3 (m, 2F); −136.9 (dt, 2F). % Water by Karl-Fischer titration: 0.03%. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 360° C., 50% wt. loss @ 400° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 365° C., 50% wt. loss @ 405° C. 
 
 The reaction scheme is shown below:  
                   
 (O) 1-propyl-3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)imidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate 
 
      Imidazole (19.2 g) was added to of tetrahydrofuran (80 mls). A glass shaker tube reaction vessel was filled with the THF-containing imidazole solution. The vessel was cooled to 18° C., evacuated to 0.08 MPa, and purged with nitrogen. The evacuate/purge cycle was repeated two more times. Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE, 5 g) was then added to the vessel, and it was heated to 100° C., at which time the inside pressure was about 0.72 MPa. As the TFE pressure decreased due to the reaction, more TFE was added in small aliquots (5 g each) to maintain operating pressure roughly between 0.34 MPa and 0.86 MPa. Once 40 g of TFE had been fed, the vessel was vented and cooled to 25° C. The THF was then removed under vacuum and the product was vacuum distilled at 40° C. to yield pure product as shown by  1 H and  19 F NMR (yield 44 g). lodopropane (16.99 g) was mixed with 1-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)imidazole (16.8 g) in dry acetonitrile (100 ml), and the mixture was refluxed for 3 days. The solvent was removed in vacuo, yielding a yellow waxy solid (yield 29 g). The product, 1-propyl-3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)imidazolium iodide was confirmed by 1 H NMR (in d acetonitrile) [0.96 (t, 3H); 1.99 (m, 2H); 4.27 (t, 2H); 6.75 (t, 1H); 7.72 (d, 2H); 9.95 (s, 1H)].  
      Iodide (24 g) was then added to 60 ml of dry acetone, followed by 15.4 g of potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate in 75 ml of dry acetone. The mixture was heated at 60° C. overnight and a dense white precipitate was formed (potassium iodide). The mixture was cooled, filtered, and the solvent from the filtrate was removed using a rotary evaporator. Some further potassium iodide was removed under filtration. The product was further purified by adding 50 g of acetone, 1 g of charcoal, 1 g of celite and 1 g of silica gel. The mixture was stirred for 2 hours, filtered and the solvent removed. This yielded 15 g of a liquid, shown by NMR to be the desired product.  
     (P) Synthesis of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate (Bmim-HFPS)  
      1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (Bmim-Cl, 50.0 g) and high purity dry acetone (&gt;99.5%, 500 ml) were combined in a 1 liter flask and warmed to reflux with magnetic stirring until the solid all dissolved. At room temperature in a separate 1 liter flask, potassium-1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonte (HFPS-K) was dissolved in high purity dry acetone (550 ml). These two solutions were combined at room temperature and allowed to stir magnetically for 12 hr under positive nitrogen pressure. The stirring was stopped, and the KCl precipitate was allowed to settle. This solid was removed by suction filtration through a fritted glass funnel with a celite pad. The acetone was removed in vacuo to give a yellow oil. The oil was further purified by diluting with high purity acetone (100 ml) and stirring with decolorizing carbon (5 g). The mixture was suction filtered and the acetone removed in vacuo to give a colorless oil. This was further dried at 4 Pa and 25° C. for 2 hr to provide 68.6 g of product.  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −73.8 (s, 3F); −114.5, −121.0 (ABq, J=258 Hz, 2F); −210.6 (m, J=42 Hz, 1F).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 0.9 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); 1.3 (m, 2H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H); 5.8 (dm, J=42 Hz, 1 H); 7.7 (s, 1 H); 7.8 (s, 1 H); 9.1 (s,1 H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.12%. Analytical calculation for C 9 H 12 F 6 N 2 O 3 S: C, 35.7: H, 4.4: N, 7.6. Experimental Results: C, 34.7: H, 3.8: N, 7.2. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 340° C., 50% wt. loss @ 367° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 335° C., 50% wt. loss @ 361° C. Extractable chloride by ion chromatography: 27 ppm.  
      (Q) Synthesis of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate (Bmim-TTES)  
      1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (Bmim-Cl, 10.0 g) and deionized water (15 ml) were combined at room temperature in a 200 ml flask. At room temperature in a separate 200 ml flask, potassium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TTES-K, 16.4 g) was dissolved in deionized water (90 ml). These two solutions were combined at room temperature and allowed to stir magnetically for 30 min. under positive nitrogen pressure to give a biphasic mixture with the desired ionic liquid as the bottom phase. The layers were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with 2×50 ml portions of methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The colorless oil product was dried at for 4 hr at 5 Pa and 25° C. to afford 15.0 g of product.  
       9 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −56.8 (d, J FH =4 Hz, 3F); −119.5, −119.9 (subsplit ABq, J=260 Hz, 2F); −142.2 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1F).  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 5 0.9 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); 1.3 (m, 2H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H); 6.5 (dt, J=53 Hz, J=7 Hz, 1 H); 7.7 (s, 1H); 7.8 (s, 1H); 9.1 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 613 ppm. Analytical calculation for C11H16F6N204S: C, 34.2: H, 4.2: N, 7.3. Experimental Results: C, 34.0: H, 4.0: N, 7.1. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 328° C., 50% wt. loss @ 354° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 324° C., 50% wt. loss @ 351° C. Extractable chloride by ion chromatography: &lt;2 ppm.  
      (R) Synthesis of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (Bmim-TPES) 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (Bmim-Cl, 7.8 g) and dry  
      acetone (150 ml) were combined at room temperature in a 500 ml flask. At room temperature in a separate 200 ml flask, potassium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TPES-K, 15.0 g) was dissolved in dry acetone (300 ml). These two solutions were combined and allowed to stir magnetically for 12 hr under positive nitrogen pressure. The KCl precipitate was then allowed to settle leaving a colorless solution above it. The reaction mixture was filtered once through a celite/acetone pad and again through a fritted glass funnel to remove the KCl. The acetone was removed in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 25° C.) for 2 hr. Residual KCl was still precipitating out of the solution, so methylene chloride (50 ml) was added to the crude product which was then washed with deionized water (2×50 ml). The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed in vacuo to give the product as a viscous light yellow oil (12.0 g, 62% yield).  
       19 F NMR (CD 3 CN) δ −85.8 (s, 3F); −87.9, −90.1 (subsplit ABq, JFF=147 Hz, 2F); −120.6, −122.4 (subsplitABq, JFF=258Hz, 2F); −142.2 (dm, J FH= 53 Hz, 1 F).  
       1 H NMR (CD 3 CN) δ 1.0 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); 1.4 (m, 2H); 1.8 (m, 2H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H); 6.5 (dm, J=53 Hz, 1 H); 7.4 (s, 1 H); 7.5 (s, 1 H) 8.6 (s, 1 H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.461. Analytical calculation for C12H16F8N204S: C, 33.0: H, 3.7. Experimental Results: C, 32.0: H, 3.6. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 334° C., 50% wt. loss @ 353° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 330° C., 50% wt. loss @ 365° C.  
      (S) Synthesis of tetradecyl(tri-n-butyl)phosphonium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate ([4.4.4.14]P-HFPS)  
      To a 4l round bottomed flask was added the ionic liquid tetradecyl(tri-n-butyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos® IL 167, 345 g) and deionized water (1000 ml). The mixture was magnetically stirred until it was one phase. In a separate 2 liter flask, potassium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate (HFPS-K, 214.2 g) was dissolved in deionized water (1100 ml). These solutions were combined and stirred under positive N 2  pressure at 26° C. for 1 hr producing a milky white oil. The oil slowly solidified (439 g) and was removed by suction filtration and then dissolved in chloroform (300 ml). The remaining aqueous layer (pH=2) was extracted once with chloroform (100 ml). The chloroform layers were combined and washed with an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (50 ml) to remove any acidic impurity. They were then dried over magnesium sulfate, suction filtered, and reduced in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 100° C.) for 16 hr to yield the final product as a white solid (380 g, 76% yield).  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −73.7.(s, 3F); −114.6, −120.9 (ABq, J=258 Hz, 2F); −210.5 (m, JHF= 41.5  Hz, 1F).  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 0.8 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H); 0.9 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 9H); 1.3 (br s, 20H); 1.4 (m, 16H); 2.2 (m, 8H); 5.9 (m, JHF=42 Hz, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 895 ppm. Analytical calculation for C29H57F603PS: C, 55.2: H, 9.1: N, 0.0. Experimental Results: C, 55.1: H, 8.8: N, 0.0. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 373° C., 50% wt. loss @ 421° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 383° C., 50% wt. loss @ 436° C.  
      (T) Synthesis of Tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate ([6.6.6.14]P-TPES)  
      To a 500 ml round bottomed flask was added acetone (Spectroscopic grade, 50 ml) and ionic liquid tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos® IL 101, 33.7 g). The mixture was magnetically stirred until it was one phase. In a separate 1 liter flask, potassium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TPES-K, 21.6 g) was dissolved in acetone (400 ml). These solutions were combined and stirred under positive N 2  pressure at 26° C. for 12 hr producing a white precipitate of KCl. The precipitate was removed by suction filtration, and the acetone was removed in vacuo on a rotovap to produce the crude product as a cloudy oil (48 g). Chloroform (100 ml) was added, and the solution was washed once with deionized water (50 ml). It was then dried over magnesium sulfate and reduced in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (8 Pa, 24° C.) for 8 hr to yield the final product as a slightly yellow oil (28 g, 56% yield).  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −86.1 (s, 3F); −88.4, −90.3 (subsplit ABq, J FF =147 Hz, 2F); −121.4, −122.4 (subsplitABq, J FF =258 Hz, 2F); −143.0 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1F).  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 0.9 (m, 12H); 1.2 (m, 16H); 1.3 (m, 16H); 1.4 (m, 8H); 1.5 (m, 8H); 2.2 (m, 8H); 6.3 (dm, J FH =54 Hz, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.11. Analytical calculation for C36H69F804PS: C, 55.4: H, 8.9: N, 0.0. Experimental Results: C, 55.2: H, 8.2: N, 0.1. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 311 ° C., 50% wt. loss @ 339° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 315° C., 50% wt. loss @ 343° C.  
      (U) Synthesis of tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate ([6.6.6.14]P-TTES)  
      To a 100 ml round bottomed flask was added acetone (Spectroscopic grade, 50 ml) and ionic liquid tetradecyl(tri-n-hexyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos® IL 101, 20.2 g). The mixture was magnetically stirred until it was one phase. In a separate 100 ml flask, potassium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TTES-K, 11.2 g) was dissolved in acetone (100 ml). These solutions were combined and stirred under positive N 2  pressure at 26° C. for 12 hr producing a white precipitate of KCl.  
      The precipitate was removed by suction filtration, and the acetone was removed in vacuo on a rotovap to produce the crude product as a cloudy oil. The product was diluted with ethyl ether (100 ml) and then washed once with deionized water (50 ml), twice with an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (50 ml) to remove any acidic impurity, and twice more with deionized water (50 ml). The ether solution was then dried over magnesium sulfate and reduced in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 24° C.) for 8 hr to yield the final product as an oil (19.0 g, 69% yield).  
       19 F NMR (CD 2 Cl 2 ) δ −60.2.(d, J FH =4 Hz, 3F); −120.8, −125.1 (subsplit ABq, J=260 Hz, 2F); −143.7 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1 F).  
       1 H NMR (CD 2 Cl 2 ) δ 0.9 (m, 12H); 1.2 (m, 16H); 1.3 (m, 16H); 1.4 (m, 8H); 1.5 (m, 8H); 2.2 (m, 8H); 6.3 (dm, J FH =54 Hz, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 412 ppm. Analytical calculation for C35H69F604PS: C, 57.5: H, 9.5: N, 0.0. Experimental results: C, 57.8: H, 9.3: N, 0.0. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 331° C., 50% wt. loss @ 359° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 328° C., 50% wt. loss @ 360° C.  
     (V) Synthesis of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)sulfonate (Emim-TPENTAS)  
      To a 500 ml round bottomed flask was added 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (Emim-Cl, 98%, 18.0 g) and reagent grade acetone (150 ml). The mixture was gently warmed (50° C) until all of the Emim-Cl dissolved. In a separate 500 ml flask, potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(pentafluoroethoxy)sulfonate (TPENTAS-K, 43.7 g) was dissolved in reagent grade acetone (450 ml).  
      These solutions were combined in a 1 liter flask producing a white precipitate (KCl). The mixture was stirred at 24° C. for 8 hr. The KCl precipitate was then allowed to settle leaving a clear yellow solution above it. The KCl was removed by filtration through a celite/acetone pad. The acetone was removed in vacuo to give a yellow oil which was then diluted with chloroform (100 ml). The chloroform was washed three times with deionized water (50 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and reduced in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (4 Pa, 25° C) for 8 hr. The product was a light yellow oil (22.5 g).  
       19 F NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ −82.9.(m, 2F); −87.3 (s, 3F); −89.0 (m, 2F); −118.9 (s, 2F).  
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 1.5 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 4.2 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H); 7 7.7 (s, 1H); 7.8 (s, 1H); 9.1 (s, 1H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.17%. Analytical calculation for C1OH11N204F9S: C, 28.2: H, 2.6: N, 6.6 Experimental results: C, 28.1: H, 2.9: N, 6.6. TGA (air): 10% wt. loss @ 351 ° C., 50% wt. loss @ 401° C. TGA (N 2 ): 10% wt. loss @ 349° C., 50% wt. loss @ 406° C.  
     (W) Synthesis of tetrabutylphosphonium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TBP-TPES)  
      To a 200 ml round bottomed flask was added deionized water (100 ml) and tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (Cytec Canada Inc., 20.2 g). The mixture was magnetically stirred until the solid all dissolved. In a separate 300 ml flask, potassium 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(perfluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate (TPES-K, 20.0 g) was dissolved in deionized water (400 ml) heated to 70° C. These solutions were combined and stirred under positive N2 pressure at 26° C. for 2 hr producing a lower oily layer. The product oil layer was separated and diluted with chloroform (30 ml), then washed once with an aqueous sodium carbonate solution (4 ml) to remove any acidic impurity, and three times with deionized water (20 ml). It was then dried over magnesium sulfate and reduced in vacuo first on a rotovap and then on a high vacuum line (8 Pa, 24° C.) for 2 hr to yield the final product as a colorless oil (28.1 g, 85% yield).  
       19 F NMR (CD 2 Cl 2 ) δ −86.4 (s, 3F); −89.0, −90.8 (subsplit ABq, J FF =147 Hz, 2F); −119.2, −125.8 (subsplit ABq, J FF =254 Hz, 2F); −141.7 (dm, J FH =53 Hz, 1F).  
       1 H NMR (CD 2 Cl 2 ) δ 1.0 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 12H);1.5 (m, 16H); 2.2 (m, 8H); 6.3 (dm, J FH =54 Hz, 1 H). % Water by Karl-Fisher titration: 0.29. Analytical calculation for C20H37F804PS: C, 43.2: H, 6.7: N, 0.0. Experimental results: C, 42.0: H, 6.9: N, 0.1. Extractable bromide by ion chromatography: 21 ppm.  
     (X) Synthesis of (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate  
      Trioctyl phosphine (31 g) was partially dissolved in reagent-grade acetonitrile (250 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-Tridecafluoro-8-iodooctane (44.2 g) was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux at 110° C. for 24 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum giving (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium iodide as a waxy solid (30.5 g). Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 13.9 g) was dissolved in reagent grade acetone (100 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and to this was added (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium iodide (60 g). The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. under reflux for approximately 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white Kl precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone. The liquid was left for 24 hours at room temperature and then filtered a second time (to remove Kl) to yield the product (62 g) as shown by proton NMR.  
     (Y) Synthesis of 1-methyl-3-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)imidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate  
      1-Methylimidazole (4.32 g, 0.52 mol) was partially dissolved in reagent-grade toluene (50 ml) in a large round-bottomed flask and stirred vigorously. 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-Tridecafluoro-8-iodooctane (26 g, 0.053 mol) was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux at 110° C. for 24 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum giving 1-methyl-3-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)imidazolium iodide (30.5 g) as a waxy solid. Potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (TFES-K, 12 g) was added to reagent grade acetone (100 ml) in a separate round-bottomed flask, and this solution was carefully added to the 1-methyl-3-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)imidazolium iodide which had been dissolved in acetone (50 ml). The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for approximately 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered using a large frit glass funnel to remove the white KI precipitate formed, and the filtrate was placed on a rotary evaporator for 4 hours to remove the acetone. The oily liquid was then filtered a second time to yield the product, as shown by proton NMR.  
      Examples 1-4 exemplify the alkylation of aromatic compounds using the ionic liquids of the invention.  
     Example 1  
     Alkylation of Xylene with Dodecene Using an Ionic Liquid as Solvent  
      The ionic liquid (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (1.9 g) was placed in a round bottomed flask and dried at 150° C. for 48 hours. 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid (1 g) was added, followed by 10 ml of 1-dodecene and 30 ml of p-xylene. The mixture was heated to 100° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 2 hours reaction time, gas chromatographic analysis showed near complete reaction (&gt;95%) of the 1-dodecene to give the alkylated product. The ionic liquid and acid formed a distinct second phase that separated out at the bottom of the flask.  
     Example 2  
     Alkylation of Xylene with Dodecene Using Recycled Catalyst/Ionic Liquid  
      The ionic liquid/acid catalyst from the second phase of Example 1 (1 g) was removed from the flask and placed in a round bottomed flask, followed by the addition of 5 ml of 1-dodecene and 15 ml of p-xylene. The mixture was heated to 100° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 2 hours reaction time, gas chromatographic analysis showed near complete reaction (&gt;90%) of the 1-dodecene to give the alkylated product. The ionic liquid and acid formed a distinct second phase that separated out at the bottom of the flask.  
     Example 3  
     Alkylation of Xylene with Dodecene Using an Ionic Liquid as Solvent  
      The ionic liquid (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-trioctylphosphonium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (0.34 g) was placed in a round bottomed flask and dried at 150° C. for 48 hours. 1,1,2,3,3,3-Hexafluoropropanesulfonic acid (0.5 g) was added, followed by the addition of 5 ml of 1-dodecene and 15 ml of p-xylene. The mixture was heated to 100° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 2 hours reaction time, gas chromatographic analysis showed near complete reaction (&gt;95%) of the 1-dodecene to give the alkylated product. The ionic liquid and acid formed a distinct second phase that separated out at the bottom of the flask.  
     Example 4  
     Alkylation of Xylene with Dodecene Using an Ionic Liquid as Solvent  
      The ionic liquid 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate (0.19 g) was placed in a round bottomed flask and dried at 150° C. for 48 hours. 1,1,2,3,3,3-Hexafluoropropanesulfonic acid (0.5 g) was added, followed by the addition of 5 ml of 1-dodecene and 15 ml of p-xylene. The mixture was heated to 100° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 2 hours reaction time, gas chromatographic analysis showed near complete reaction (&gt;95%) of the 1-dodecene to give the alkylated product. The ionic liquid and acid formed a distinct second phase that separated out at the bottom of the flask.