Generation of Superoxide Ion in Trihexyl (Tetradecyl) Phosphonium bis (Trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Abstract

Superoxide ion has been generated in room temperature ionic liquid trihexyl (tetradecyl) phosphonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [P14,666][N(Tf)2]. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques were used for the electrochemical generation of Om2._, while chemical generation was done by adding KO2 to dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). The long term stability of O2._ was investigated using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. It was found that the quaternary phosphonium cation, [PI 4,666]+ is a reasonably stable cation in the presence of 02._ which indicates the possible use of these ILs for further useful applications. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.