Abstract
We report the easy preparation of high purity EMIBF4 and EMI(CF3SO3) room-temperature ionic liquids, where EMI+ is 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium. The ionic liquids prepared by this new procedure are estimated from electrochemical analysis to be 99.5 to 99.9% pure. Importantly, no halides were detected electrochemically, thus this synthesis provides an inexpensive, environmentally benign route to these important air-stable ionic liquid solvents.