Synthesis and properties of chiral imidazolium ionic liquids with a (1R,2S,5R)-(-)-menthoxymethyl substituent

A series of 1-[(1R, 2S, 5R)-(-)-menthoxymethyl]-3-alkylimidazolium salts have been synthesized, producing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic chiral imidazolium ionic liquids. Their physicochemical properties, single-crystal X-ray structures, antimicrobial activities, and antielectrostatic effects were determined and these compounds have proven to represent not only potential new solvents in asymmetric synthesis, but also effective, disinfectants with antielectrostatic activity. Given the number and diversities of the possible conformations and interionic interactions, coupled with the chiral nature of the cations, it should come as no surprise that these salts exhibit ionic liquid behavior and are so difficult to crystallize.