Abstract

In this study ionic liquids (3-alkoxymethyl-1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates and hexafluoro-phosphates) are successfully used for wood preservation. These liquids are new biocides as well as new solvents which penetrate wood well. The prepared ionic liquids with an alkoxymethyl substituent, which consisted of 7, 8 or 9 carbon atoms, exhibited fungicidal activity against Coniophora puteana (Schum.: Fr.) Karst., Trametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Pilát and Sclerophoma pityophila (Corda) v. Höhn. The effective and lethal doses were measured by the agar-plate method. In their activity against wood degrading fungi, ionic liquids such as 1-methyl-3-octyloxy-methylimidazolium and 1-methyl-3-nonyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates were comparable with commercially available benzalkonium chloride and didecyldimethylammonium chloride. Ionic liquids both with and without DDAC penetrated into Scots pine wood very well.