TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: No preparation method is given. Preferred Components: The ionic liquid further comprises an anion (X-) comprising bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (preferred), dicyanamide, hexahalophosphates, tetrahaloborates, halides, nitrates, sulfates, phosphates, carbonates, sulfonates, carboxylates or silicates. The sulfonates and carboxylates are alkylsulfonates and alkylcarboxylates respectively. Preferred Definitions:    R3 = H;    R1 = CH3; and    R2 = butyl group.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 3 Compounds (I) are specifically claimed i.e. 1-butyl-1-methyl-azepanium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 6-azoniaspiro(5,6)dodecanebis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and 1-butyl-1,3-dimethylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide of formula (Ia).    EXAMPLE - Fist N-substitution of 3-methylpiperidine was carried out using butyl bromide as an N-alkylating agent to form 1-butyl-3-methylpiperidine. Butyl bromide was added to a solution of 3-methylpiperidine in methanol at 20 degrees C by an ice-water bath. The mixture was hydrolyzed with potassium carbonate, extracted with ether, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solution was fractionally distilled at reduced pressure and the fraction with by 195 degrees C was collected. A second N-substitution was carried out on the 1-butyl-3-methylpiperidine using methyl iodide as an N-alkylating agent to form 1-butyl-1-methyl-3-methylpiperidinium iodide. A slight excess of methyl iodide was added dropwise to 1-butyl-3-methylpiperidine in dichloromethane at 20 degrees C by an ice-water bath. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred until complete conversion of amine. Diethyl ether was then added to the reaction mixture and the white precipitate filtered, washed with ether and dried in air to give 1-butyl-1-methyl-3-methylpiperidinium iodide melted at 204 degrees C. A slight excess of lithium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide was added to an aqueous solution, dissolved in water, of 1-butyl-1-methyl-3-methylpiperidinium iodide and stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separating funnel and the heavy layer washed several times with water. The heavy organic layer was then evaporated to dryness to give 1-butyl-1-methyl-3-methylpiperidinium bis((trifluoro-methyl)sulfonyl)imide.