Facile Synthesis of New Imidazolium Ionic Liquids Containing Hydroxymethyl Substituent at 2-Position of Imidazolium Ring

New imidazolium ionic liquids containing hydroxymethyl substituent at 2-position of imidazolium ring have been prepared with greater-than or equal to 95% yield by reaction of 1-alkyl- 3- methylimidazolium chloride with paraformaldehyde at 80 graduate C. Structure of the products has been confirmed by analysis of 1H NMR and mass spectra. Subsequent anion exchange by standard procedures leads to 1-alkyl-2-hydroxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate. All obtained ionic liquids are colorless liquids at room temperature. Properties of crude products including viscosity, solubility and thermal decomposition profiles are reported.