First direct evidence of N-heterocyclic carbene in BMIm acetate ionic liquids. An electrochemical and chemical study on the role of temperature

Cyclic voltammetry provides the first direct evidence of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) presence in neat 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid (BMImAcO) at 120 °C. The NHC existence, proved by its oxidation current in cyclic voltammetry, was confirmed by the formation of a PhCHO–NHC adduct in the pure ionic liquid. The role of the temperature was considered.