Synthesis and Characterization of Chiral Imidazolium Salts

Chiral imidazolium salts that can be classified as ionic liquids (ILs) were derived from the ‘chiral pool’ precursors camphor, β-pinene, and tartaric acid. ILs containing chiral imidazolium cations as well as chiral anions were synthesized. Furthermore, the anion of the IL 1-methyl-3-[(S)-2′-methylbutyl]imidazolium tosyl­ate was substituted on an ion-exchange resin for the chiral (S)-camphorsulfonate anion thus forming the first well-characterized ‘doubly chiral’ IL.