Na[B(hfip)4] (hfip = OC(H)(CF3)2): a weakly coordinating anion salt and its first application to prepare ionic liquids.

The fast, high yield synthesis and full characterization of Na[B(hfip)(4)] (hfip: OC(H)(CF(3))(2)) from NaBH(4) and hexafluoroisopropanol (hfipH) is presented. By anion metathesis, five [B(hfip)(4)](-) salts with classical/functionalized ionic liquid (IL) cations with melting points between 0 ([C(6)MIM](+)[B(hfip)(4)](-)) and 113 °C ([C(4)MMorph](+)[B(hfip)(4)](-)) were prepared. Four of these qualify as ILs and one as room temperature IL (RTIL). The properties of the borate anion [B(hfip)(4)](-) and its aluminum analogue [Al(hfip)(4)](-) were compared based on the available structural information from XRD. Viscosities (10.3 (90 °C) to 855 (0 °C) mPa s(-1)) and conductivities (0.603 (30 °C) to 4.844 (90 °C) mS cm(-1)) were measured between 0 and 90 °C, and described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equations. The properties of the [B(hfip)(4)](-) ILs were analyzed in the context of the anion-dependent molecular volume V(m)-viscosity-/conductivity-correlations, also in comparison to ILs with [BF(4)](-)/[PF(6)](-), [N(CN)(2)](-), [Tf(2)N](-) and [Al(hfip)(4)](-) counterions. The viscosities and conductivities of [B(hfip)(4)](-) ILs are slightly inferior to [Al(hfip)(4)](-) ILs, similar to/better than all other anions given above. According to the Walden plots, the ionicity of the [B(hfip)(4)](-) ILs may at least be classified as "good". By sharp contrast to the [Al(hfip)(4)](-) ILs, the [B(hfip)(4)](-) ILs have good stability against humidity/water. Thus, handling of [B(hfip)(4)](-) ILs in an open laboratory atmosphere over hours and days is allowed and further facilitates the use of this new IL class. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011