Ionic liquids are typically made up of carbon-based molecular cations and diverse types of anions. The first room-temperature ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (CH3NH3NO3), was discovered in 1914 and melts at 12°C. The structure is shown to the left. Imagine that you want to synthesize ionic liquids based on the combination of ethylammonium cations and the anions shown to the right.
a. Which of these new substances would you expect to have the highest melting point? Justify your answer.
b. Which of these new substances would you expect to have the lowest melting point? Justify your answer.