Abstract: This invention describes a one pot, single-step process for the preparation of halide-free hydrophobic salts comprising polyalkylated imidazolium cations and various anions in accordance with the following structure, where R1 and R3 represent the either the same or different alkyl groups, and R2, R4, and R5 represent either hydrogen atoms, or the same or different alkyl group substituents; X represents a polyatomic anion that is the conjugate base of an acid.

Abstract: This invention describes a one pot, single-step process for the preparation of halide-free hydrophobic salts comprising polyalkylated imidazolium cations and various anions in accordance with the following structure, where R1 and R3 represent the either the same or different alkyl groups, and R2, R4, and R5 represent either hydrogen atoms, or the same or different alkyl group substituents; X represents a polyatomic anion that is the conjugate base of an acid.

Abstract: Improved electrolytes for application in electrical storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, electrochromic display and other applications requiring tonically conductive medium are disclosed. The electrolytes of the invention contain organic cation salts, also called ionic liquids or molten salts. These improved electrolytes have useful characteristics such as high thermal stability and reduced flammability.

Abstract: Ionic liquids having improved properties for application in non-aqueous batteries, electrochemical capacitors, electroplating, catalysis and chemical separations are disclosed. Exemplary compounds have one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are either H; F; separate alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, respectively, or joined together to constitute a unitary alkylene radical of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms forming a ring structure converging on N; or separate phenyl groups; and wherein the alkyl groups, alkylene radicals or phenyl groups may be substituted with electron withdrawing groups, preferably F--, Cl--, CF.sub.3 --, SF.sub.5 --, CF.sub.3 S--, (CF.sub.3).sub.2 CHS-- or (CF.sub.3).sub.3 CS--; and X.sup.- is a non-Lewis acid-containing polyatomic anion having a van der Waals volume exceeding 100 .ANG..sup.3.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a rechargeable electrochemical cell featuring diethylether, a cosolvent, and a lithium salt.

Abstract: The invention comprises using selected alkylated analogs of tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran as solvents for electrolytes in batteries having alkali metal negative electrodes.