Solvent-free preparation of ionic liquids using a household microwave oven

An efficient solventless protocol for the preparation of a wide variety of ionic liquids is described, which requires a simple exposure of admixed 1-m ethylimidazole and alkyl halides to microwave irradiation in open glass con tainers. The details of this clean process using a common household microwa ve oven, which exploits the newer inverter technology system for better pow er attenuation, are described. The characterization and thermal stability d ata on selected ionic liquids and their potential applications are summariz ed.