Ionic liquids with hydrogenated and perfluorinated chains: Structural study of the [P_6,6,6,14][F_nCOO] n = 7, 9, 11. Checking the existence of polar – hydrogenated – perfluorinated triphilic continuity

The existence of triphilic segregation and continuity between hydrogenated chains, perfluorinated chains and polar groups in a family of long chain fluorinated ionic liquids was assessed. Three new ionic liquids were synthesized, combining a long chain hydrogenated cation, [P_6,6,6,14]⁺, with a long perfluorinated chain, [F_nCOO]^-, n = 7, 9, 11. The new Ionic Liquids were characterized and the liquid density and self-diffusion coefficients were measured. Experimental X-ray scattering and NMR relaxometry were also measured to obtain information on the organization of these complex liquids. The possibility of a new continuous fluorinated phase characterized by a unique X-ray diffraction peak was investigated in detail. Finally, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Analysis of the MD results in conjunction with the new experimental data enable a detailed molecular level insight of the systems.