On continuous, solvent-free synthesis of ionic liquid [BMIM]Br in a microbore tube

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 307; no. 2; pp. 1001 - 1009
• Main Authors: Sen, N., Singh, K. K., Mukhopadhyay, S., Shenoy, K. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-02-2016; Springer
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Imaging systems; Inorganic Chemistry; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear fuel cycle; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry; Dispersed flow; Flow pattern; Two-phase; Microbore tube; Slug flow; Ionic liquid
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4278-z

Synthesis of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, a precursor to hydrophobic ILs having potential applications in nuclear fuel cycle, is carried out in a microbore tube in solvent-free and continuous mode. Product yield increased monotonically with increasing reaction temperature and residence time. Space–time–yield (STY) and production rate decreased with increase in residence time and increased with increase in reaction temperature. Maximum values of STY and production rate achieved are 131.5 g/min l and 278 g/day, respectively. Experimental data suggest that the reaction, when carried out in a microbore tube, is kinetically controlled. Flow patterns inside the microbore tube, observed using a high speed imaging system, also suggest the same.