The ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate is used as electrolyte in the electrochemical determination of the diffusion coefficient of ferrocene as a function of concentration by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. An improved synthesis of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate is described, which yields a product of high purity suitable for electrochemical purposes. A qualitative color test is discussed which allows the simple detection of silver ion contaminations. The diffusion coefficient of ferrocene appears to be concentration dependent in the solvent chosen. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.