AFRL Develops Superior Approach for Synthesizing Energetic Ionic Liquids Published Dec. 4, 2006 By Propulsion Directorate AFRL/PR WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- AFRL propulsion experts Dr. Suresh Suri and Mr. Jacob Marcischak developed a superior methodology for the synthesis of nitrate-derived ionic liquids. The pair successfully demonstrated their approach using imidazolium salts with the new agent. Nitrate-derived ionic liquids could potentially replace state-of-the-art energetic materials used for explosives and rocket propellants. The new approach is superior to other known methodologies because its by-products are gaseous. Product isolation is therefore not labor intensive and does not require expensive reagents, nor does it require alkyl iodide and silver nitrate for the synthesis of nitrate-derived ionic liquids. The use of this new methodology will thus significantly reduce the cost of producing nitrate-derived ionic liquids.