Ionic Liquids Containing a Sulfonate Anion

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel ionic liquids comprising a docusate, docusate variant, or other sulfonate anion. The ionic liquids may be conveniently made via, for example, metathesis. The ionic liquids are often hydrophobic and useful in many hydrocarbon compositions, polymer compositions, and in supercritical carbon dioxide applications. The ionic liquids are capable of hindering static electricity buildup in the hydrocarbon compositions and can therefore minimize flammability and/or explosiveness.

1 - 59 . (canceled) 
   
   
       60 . A composition comprising an ionic liquid comprising:
 (a) a substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cation; and   (b) an anion having the structure (I):
   R 1 —O—C(O)—CH(SO 3   − )—R 3 —C(O)—O—R 2   I 
   wherein,   R 1  is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl groups consisting of from about six to about eighteen carbon atoms;   R 2  is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl groups consisting of from about six to about eighteen carbon atoms; and   R 3  is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group.   
   
   
       61 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the ammonium cation is substituted with one or more alkyl groups. 
   
   
       62 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the ammonium cation contains more than 4 carbon atoms. 
   
   
       63 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 1  is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. 
   
   
       64 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 1  is alkyl-substituted alkyl. 
   
   
       65 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 1  is —CH 2 —CH(CH 2 CH 3 )(CH 2 CH 2 —CH 3 ). 
   
   
       66 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 2  is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. 
   
   
       67 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 2  is alkyl-substituted alkyl. 
   
   
       68 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 2  is —CH 2 —CH(CH 2 CH 3 )(CH 2 CH 2 —CH 3 ). 
   
   
       69 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein R 3  is —(CH 2 ) n —; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. 
   
   
       70 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of the anions of (i) di-cyclohexyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; (ii) di-n-octyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; (iii) di-n-butyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; (iv) di-isobutyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; (v) di-neopentyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; (vi) di-n-heptyl ester of sulfosuccinic acid; and (vii) bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester of sulfosuccinic acid. 
   
   
       71 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the anion is an anion of bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester of sulfosuccinic acid. 
   
   
       72 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the ionic liquid is hydrophobic. 
   
   
       73 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition is greater than 55 weight percent ionic liquid. 
   
   
       74 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition is greater than 70 weight percent ionic liquid. 
   
   
       75 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition is greater than 80 weight percent ionic liquid. 
   
   
       76 . The composition of  claim 60 , further comprising a hydrocarbon. 
   
   
       77 . The composition of  claim 60 , further comprising a catalyst. 
   
   
       78 . The composition of  claim 60 , further comprising CO 2  at supercritical conditions. 
   
   
       79 . The composition of  claim 70 , further comprising a polymer. 
   
   
       80 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the anion and the ammonium cation are present in stoichiometric amounts.