Cluster structure of imidazolium salts in methanol controlled by the balance of interactions: cation-anion, cation-solvent, and anion-solvent.

We have studied the cluster structure of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium halide, bmimX (X = Cl, Br, I), in methanol solution by means of an electrospray mass spectrometer, which is specially designed for analysis of clusters isolated from solution. In positive ion mode experiments, the ratio of solvated bmim(+), bmim(+)(MeOH)(n) and ion-pair clusters, bmim(bmim(+)X(-))(m) was dependent on the counter anion. As for bmimCl solutions, few solvated bmim(+) clusters were observed, and the ion-pair clusters were clearly observed. On the other hand, bmimBr and bmimI with large anions, the solvated bmim(+) clusters increased obviously, and the ion-pair clusters were in turn remarkably decreased. In negative ion-mode experiments, the solvation for Br(-) by the methanol is found to be the most prominent among those for Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-). These results were reasonably explained in consideration of the balance between ion-solvent and ion-counterion interactions.