Preparation of ionic liquids bearing o-carborane anion via N,N′-dialkylimidazol-2-ylidene carbene

In the present study, a novel ionic liquid including o-carborane anion was prepared. After the carbene formation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium halide ([EMIm]+[X]−) by reaction with n-BuLi, the subsequent reaction with o-carborane afforded the desired ionic liquid in moderate yields. The structure of the ionic liquid was supported by 1H NMR and 11B NMR spectra.