title: New family of lithium salts for highly conductive nonaqueous electrolytes.
abstract: New lithium salts of weakly coordinating anions were prepared by treating lithium imidazolates or LiN(CH3)2 with 2 equiv of BF(3). They are LiIm(BF3)2, Li 2-MeIm(BF3)2, Li 4-MeIm(BF3)2, LiBenzIm(BF3)2, Li 2-iPrIm(BF3)2, and LiN(CH3)2(BF3)2 (Im=imidazolate, Me=methyl, iPr=isopropyl, BenzIm=benzoimidazolate). The salts were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structure of LiBenzIm(BF3)2 consists of a dimeric centrosymmetric unit with each lithium atom forming a bridge between the two anions through one fluorine contact to each anion. The structure of a hydrate of LiN(CH3)2(BF3)2 consists of an infinite chain in which each anion chelates two different lithium atoms through Li-F bonds. The conductivities of electrolyte solutions of these salts were measured and are discussed in terms of different ion-pairing modes determined from the solid-state structures, the anion's ability to distribute charge, and solution viscosity. Organic carbonate solutions of LiIm(BF3)2 partially disproportionate at 85 degrees C forming LiBF4, LiBF2[Im(BF3)]2, and Li[(BF3)ImBF2ImBF2Im(BF3)], reaching equilibrium by 3 months at 85 degrees C but not disproportionating at room temperature after 9 months. A mechanism for the formation of these disproportionation products is proposed. The lower conductivity of the 1 M LiIm(BF3)2 solution that has undergone disproportionation is attributed to the formation LiBF4, which is less conductive, and LiBF2[Im(BF3)]2 and Li[(BF3)ImBF2ImBF2Im(BF3)], which increase solution viscosity.
authors.affiliation: Yardney Technical Products, 82 Mechanic Street, Pawcatuck, Connecticut 06379, USA. tbarbarich@lithion.com
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Barbarich
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: Suzette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Lev N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Zakharov
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Incarvito
authors.forename: Arnold L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rheingold