Patent attributes
Ionic compounds with a freezing point of up to 100° C. are formed by the reaction of an one amine salt of formula (I) R1R2R3R4N+X−, such as choline chloride with an organic compound (II) capable of forming a hydrogen bond with X; such as urea, wherein the molar ration of I to II is from 1:1.5 to 1:2.5. R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be H, optionally substituted C1 to C5 alkyl, optionally substituted C6 to C10 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C6 to C12 aryl, optionally substituted C7 to C12 alkaryl, or R1 and R2 taken together may represent a C4 to C10 optionally substituted alkylene group, thereby forming with the N atom of formula I a 5 to 11-membered heterocyclic ring and all of R1, R2, R3 and R4 are not identical, X− may be NO3−, F, Cl−, Br−, I−, BF4−, ClO4−, CN−, SO3CF3−, or COOCF3−. The ionic compounds are useful as solvents, and electrolytes for example in electroplating, electrowinning, and electropolishing, and as catalysts.