Insights into the Formation and Structures of Molecular Gels byDiimidazolium Salt Gelators in Ionic Liquids or “Normal” Solvents

Insights are provided into the properties of moleculargels formed by diimidazolium salts both in “normal” solventsand ionic liquids. These materials can be interestingfor applications in green and sustainable chemistry in whichionic liquids play a significant role, like catalysis and energy.In particular, two positional isomers of a diimidazoliumcation have been examined with a wide range of anions fortheir ability to form gel phases. In particular, di-, tri-, and tetravalentanions bearing aliphatic or aromatic spacers werepaired with the divalent cations. The properties of theorgano- and ionogels formed have been analyzed by meansof several different techniques, including calorimetry, rheology,resonance light scattering, UV/Vis absorption, polarizingoptical microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction measurements.The investigations performed enabled us to obtaina wide range of conductive materials characterized bya high thermal stability and a low corrosiveness of the gelator(organogels) or of both gelator and solvent (ionogels).The information gained should be useful in the broaderquest to identify and promote their applications.