Dendritic Ionic Liquids Based on Imidazolium‐Modified Poly(aryl ether) Dendrimers

A series of dendritic ionic liquids (DILs) based on imidazolium-modified poly(aryl ether) dendrimers IL-Br-Gn (n=0–3) were synthesized by a modified convergent approach and “click” chemistry. The resulting DILs exhibited high thermal resistance with decomposition temperatures up to 270 °C and low glass transition temperatures in the range of approximately −5–0 °C. All IL-Br-Gn were found to be miscible with water at any ratio and could encapsulate hydrophobic molecules. The reversible phase transfer of the DILs between the aqueous and organic phases was accomplished by simple anion exchange between the hydrophilic Br− anion and the hydrophobic bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion (NTf2−). IL-Br-Gn could be used as transporters to shuttle hydrophobic molecules between the organic and aqueous phases efficiently. The present work provides a new kind of transporting materials with potential applications in substance separation, drug delivery, and biomolecule transport.