Room-temperature [C2mim]OAc crystal

Abstract

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C₂mim]OAc) is the most commonly used cellulose-dissolving ionic liquid and has been extensively studied for biorefinery applications. Although [C₂mim]OAc had been considered to be a liquid, we here found [C₂mim]OAc crystals at room temperature (around 25 °C) with a melting point of 44 °C. A plausible reason for the crystallization is shearing stress. [C₂mim]OAc seed crystals led to the crystallization of liquid [C₂mim]OAc.