Direct methylation and trifluoroethylation of imidazole and pyridine derivatives

Direct methylation or trifluoroethylation of imidazole and pyridine derivatives using N-methyl bis((perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl)imides or trifluoroethyl phenyliodonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide affords high yields of the corresponding salts. This methodology provides a simple route to a variety of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs).