An easy, green and ultra-fast synthesis of dicationic ionic liquids: From days to minutes

Ionic liquids are no longer a curiosity since they have shown tremendous potential in several key sectors of chemical sciences proven by the exponential number of publications in recent years. However, due to its toxicity and time-consuming synthesis route, these have become a technical hurdle of their use in pilot or industrial scales. Notably their syntheses not only time and energy consuming but also rather of dirty nature with the use of molecular solvents for synthesis and purification steps, leading to high production cost and impeding the possible further industrial outcome. In this preliminary work, we have developed a neat and quick synthesis pathway of di-cationic ionic liquids, reducing not only the necessary time from days to minutes but also the overall energy consumption resulted in high purity, increasing their potential as green alternative to common molecular organic solvents.