Structures and Thermodynamic Properties of Ionic Liquids

Rodrigues LF, Barbosa LRS. Unveiling the Three-Step Model for the Interaction of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids on Albumin

The effect of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-methyl-3-tetradecylimidazolium chloride ([C14MIM][Cl]), 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C12MIM][Cl]), and 1-decyl-methylimidazolium chloride ([C10MIM][Cl]) on the structure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Concerning the fluorescence measurements, we observed a blue shift and a fluorescence quenching as the IL concentration increased in the solution. Such behavior was observed for all three studied imidazolium-based ILs, being larger as the number of methylene groups in the alkyl chain increased. UV-vis absorbance measurements indicate that even at relatively small IL/protein ratios, like 1:1 or 1:2, ([C14MIM][Cl]) is able to change, at least partially, the sample turbidity. SAXS results agree with the spectroscopic techniques and suggest that the proteins underwent partial unfolding, evidenced by an increase in the radius of gyration (Rg) of the scattering particle. In the absence and presence of ([C14MIM][Cl]) = 3 mM BSA Rg increases from 29.1 to 45.1 Å, respectively. Together, these results indicate that the interaction of BSA with ILs is divided into three stages: the first stage is characterized by the protein in its native form. It takes place for protein/IL ≤ 1:2, and the interaction is predominantly due to the electrostatic forces provided by the negative charges on the surface of BSA and the cationic polar head of the ILs. In the second stage, higher IL concentrations induce the unfolding of the protein, most likely inducing the unfolding of domains I and III, in such a way that the protein's secondary structure is kept almost unaltered. In the last stage, IL micelles start to form, and therefore, the interaction with protein reaches a saturation point and free micelles may be formed. We believe that this work provides new information about the interaction of ILs with BSA.

Effective Absorption of Dichloromethane Using Carboxyl-Functionalized Ionic Liquids

Dichloromethane (DCM) is recognized as a very harmful air pollutant because of its strong volatility and difficulty to degrade. Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as potential solvents for absorbing DCM, while it is still a challenge to develop ILs with high absorption performances. In this study, four carboxyl-functionalized ILs-trioctylmethylammonium acetate [N₁₈₈₈][Ac], trioctylmethylammonium formate [N₁₈₈₈][FA], trioctylmethylammonium glycinate [N₁₈₈₈][Gly], and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium glycinate [P₆₆₆₁₄][Gly]-were synthesized for DCM capture. The absorption capacity follows the order of [P₆₆₆₁₄][Gly] > [N₁₈₈₈][Gly] > [N₁₈₈₈][FA] > [N₁₈₈₈][Ac], and [P₆₆₆₁₄][Gly] showed the best absorption capacity, 130 mg DCM/g IL at 313.15 K and a DCM concentration of 6.1%, which was two times higher than the reported ILs [Beim][EtSO₄] and [Emim][Ac]. Moreover, the vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the DCM + IL binary system was experimentally measured. The NRTL (non-random two-liquid) model was developed to predict the VLE data, and a relative root mean square deviation (rRMSD) of 0.8467 was obtained. The absorption mechanism was explored via FT-IR spectra, ¹H-NMR, and quantum chemistry calculations. It showed a nonpolar affinity between the cation and the DCM, while the interaction between the anion and the DCM was a hydrogen bond. Based on the results of the study of the interaction energy, it was found that the hydrogen bond between the anion and the DCM had the greatest influence on the absorption process.

Green synthesis of 1-phenyl-1-ortho-xylene ethane in IL and reaction mechanism

In this study, 1-phenyl-1-ortho-xylene ethane (PXE) is synthesized in IL and the catalysts used were AlCl₃ in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([BMIM][Br]) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]).

Thermal reaction of the ionic liquid 1,2-dimethyl-(3-aminoethyl) imidazolium tetrafluoroborate: a kinetic and theoretical study

Since the thermal stabilities of ionic liquids (ILs) are of significance for their application, an amine-functionalized IL 1,2-dimethyl-(3-aminoethyl) imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [aEMMIM][BF4] was chosen to study thermal decomposition mechanisms via the methods of FT-IR, (1)H NMR, TGA, TGA-MS and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Theoretical and experimental results indicated that amine-functionalization reduces the thermal stability of [aEMMIM][BF4] compared to its non-functionalized counterpart. Moreover, we found that [aEMMIM][BF4] follows a unimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN1) decomposition (98.8 %), whereas the bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) decomposition (1.2 %) is unfavorable. The SN1 and SN2 reactions were fully optimized at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level, and the energies of reactant (R), intermediates (IM), transition state (TS) and product (P) were obtained and analyzed by reaction mechanism. The energy of the intermediate is higher than that of the reactants by 18.92 kJ mol(-1), and the energy of the TS is higher than that of the IM by 155.23 kJ mol(-1). This result indicates that the IM are also more stable than the P2 product, thus the reaction is endothermic. The chemical nature of the covalent and hydrogen bonds was analyzed by vibrational modes analysis (VMA), nature bond orbital (NBO) and the theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). Graphical Abstract Proposed thermal decomposition of [aEMMIM][BF4] via unimolecular ( SN1) and bimolecular( SN2) nucleophilic substitution mechanisms. The electrostatic potential surface (ESP) of the transition state illustrates that hydrogen bonds are generated when [BF4](-) is close to [aEMMIM](+), and SN1 decomposition is much favorable than SN2 decomposition.

CO2 as a regulator for the controllable preparation of highly dispersed chitosan-supported Pd catalysts in ionic liquids

A controllable synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of chitosan supported Pd catalysts in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate by using compressed CO₂ as the anti-solvent and regulator.