Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Amide Anions Based Ionic Liquids Containing Nitrile Group

Abstract A series of novel amide anion based ionic liquids containing nitrile groups have been synthesized using the method of ion‐exchange between potassium amide and various quaternary halide salts such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N ‐methylpyrrolidine, and N ‐methylimidazole. All of the functionalised ionic liquids were characterized by IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR, and MS. The synthesized ionic liquids exhibited advantageously high thermal stability. The decomposition temperature of ionic liquids measured via TGA ranged from 224 to 289°C. The functionalised ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium propionyl cyanamide ([EMIm][N(CN)COC 2 H 5 ]), was used as a ligand in the palladium catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction. The yields of the coupling reaction increased by 10%–20% by the addition of [EMIm][N(CN)COC 2 H 5 ].