NMR studies of ionic liquids: Structure and dynamics

Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Comprehensive Review of Their Thermodynamics, Microstructure and Drug Delivery Applications

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are multicomponent liquids that are usually formed by coupling a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor leading to strong non-covalent (NC) intermolecular networking and profound depression in the melting point of the system. Pharmaceutically, this phenomenon has been exploited to improve drugs' physicochemical properties, with an established DES therapeutic subcategory, therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES). THEDES preparation is usually via straightforward synthetic processes with little involvement of sophisticated techniques, which, in addition to its thermodynamic stability, make these multi-component molecular adducts a very attractive alternative for drug enabling purposes. Other NC bonded binary systems (e.g., co-crystals and ionic liquids) are utilized in the pharmaceutical field for enhancing drug's behaviours. However, a clear distinction between these systems and THEDES is scarcely discussed in the current literature. Accordingly, this review provides a structure-based categorization for DES formers, a discussion of its thermodynamic properties and phase behaviour, and it clarifies the physicochemical and microstructure boundaries between DES and other NC systems. Additionally, a summary of its preparation techniques and their experimental conditions preparation is supplied. Instrumental analysis techniques can be used to characterize and differentiate DES from other NC mixtures, hence this review draws a road map to for this purpose. Since this work mainly focuses on pharmaceutical applications of DES, all types of THEDES including the highly discussed types (conventional, drugs dissolved in DES and polymer based) in addition to the less discussed categories are covered. Finally, the regulatory status of THEDES was investigated despite the current unclear situation.

Molecule(s) of Interest: I. Ionic Liquids-Gateway to Newer Nanotechnology Applications: Advanced Nanobiotechnical Uses', Current Status, Emerging Trends, Challenges, and Prospects

Ionic liquids are a potent class of organic compounds exhibiting unique physico-chemical properties and structural compositions that are different from the classical dipolar organic liquids. These molecules have found diverse applications in different chemical, biochemical, biophysical fields, and a number of industrial usages. The ionic liquids-based products and procedural applications are being developed for a number of newer industrial purposes, and academic uses in nanotechnology related procedures, processes, and products, especially in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. The current article overviews their uses in different fields, including applications, functions, and as parts of products and processes at primary and advanced levels. The application and product examples, and prospects in various fields of nanotechnology, domains of nanosystem syntheses, nano-scale product development, the process of membrane filtering, biofilm formation, and bio-separations are prominently discussed. The applications in carbon nanotubes; quantum dots; and drug, gene, and other payload delivery vehicle developments in the nanobiotechnology field are also covered. The broader scopes of applications of ionic liquids, future developmental possibilities in chemistry and different bio-aspects, promises in the newer genres of nanobiotechnology products, certain bioprocesses controls, and toxicity, together with emerging trends, challenges, and prospects are also elaborated.

Antifungal Activity and Stability of Fluconazole Emulsion Containing Ionic Liquids Explained by Intermolecular Interactions

This research reports accelerated stability experiments, the evaluation of intermolecular interactions, and antifungal assays for fluconazole emulsions prepared using ultrasound (US) and magnetic stirring (MS) in the presence of ionic liquids derived from 1,n-(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)alkane bromide ([CnMIM]Br; n = 12 or 16). The goals of the investigation are to quantify the stability, identify the forces that drive the formation and stability, and determine the antifungal activity of fluconazole-containing emulsions, and corroborate the data from our previous results that indicated that the emulsion based on [C16MIM]Br seemed to be more stable. In this study, accelerated stability experiments evidenced a considerable stability for the [C16MIM]Br emulsions at two temperatures (25 and 37 °C)—the instability index increased in the following order: US40% < US20% < MS. The 1H NMR data showed that the ILs interacts differently with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). Two distinct interaction mechanisms were also observed for [C12MIM]Br and [C16MIM]Br with fluconazole, in which the latter formed more compact mixed aggregates than the former. The result was corroborated by diffusion data, which showed that ILs suffered a decrease in diffusion in the presence of fluconazole. The antifungal assay showed that emulsions containing ILs displayed superior activity compared with fluconazole alone. The emulsions also showed potent activity in inhibiting a resistant species (C. glabrata—CG34) to FLZ. All emulsions showed weak irritant potential in HET-CAM assay.

Internal Dynamics of Ionic Liquids over a Broad Temperature Range-The Role of the Cation Structure

¹H and ¹⁹F spin-lattice relaxation experiments have been performed for a series of ionic liquids sharing the same anion: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide but including cations of different alkyl chain lengths: butyltriethylammonium, triethyloctylammonium, dodecyltriethylammo-nium and hexadecyltriethylammonium. The studies have been carried out in the temperature range from 383 to 108 K at the resonance frequency of 200 MHz (for ¹H). A quantitative analysis of the relaxation data has revealed two dynamical processes for both kinds of ions. The dynamics have been successfully modeled in terms of the Arrhenius law. The timescales of the dynamical processes and their temperature evolution have been discussed in detail, depending on the structure of the cation.

Nuclear magnetic resonance characterisation of ionic liquids and organic ionic plastic crystals: common approaches and recent advances

Ionic liquids, and their solid-state equivalents organic ionic plastic crystals, show many useful and tailorable properties that make them interesting for a wide range of applications including as electrolytes for energy storage devices. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and related techniques offer a powerful and versatile toolkit for the characterisation of structure, interactions and dynamics in these materials. This article summarises both commonly used methods and some recent advances in this area, including solution- and solid-state methods, dynamic nuclear polarisation, imaging, diffusion and relaxation measurements, and example applications of some less commonly studied nuclei.

15N NMR studies provide insights into physico-chemical properties of room-temperature ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) have gained a lot of attention as alternative solvents in many fields of science in the last two decades. It is known that the type of anion has a significant influence on the macroscopic properties of the IL. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects it is important to characterize these systems at the microscopic level. Such information can be obtained from nuclear spin-relaxation studies which for compounds with natural isotope abundance are typically performed using direct 1H or 13C measurements. Here we used direct 15N measurements to characterize spin relaxation of non-protonated nitrogens in imidazolium-based ILs which are liquid at ambient temperature. We report heteronuclear 1H-15N scalar coupling constants (nJHN) and 15N relaxation parameters for non-protonated nitrogens in ten 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C2C1IM]+)-based ILs containing a broad range of anions. The 15N relaxation rates and steady-state heteronuclear 15N-{1H} NOEs were measured using direct 15N detection at 293.2 K and two magnetic field strengths, 9.4 T and 16.4 T. The experimental data were analyzed to determine hydrodynamic characteristics of ILs and to assess the contributions to 15N relaxation from 15N chemical shift anisotropy and from 1H-15N dipolar interactions with non-bonded protons. We found that the rotational correlation times of the [C2C1IM]+ cation determined from 15N relaxation measurements at room temperature correlate linearly with the macroscopic viscosity of the ILs. Depending on the selected anion, the 15N relaxation characteristics of [C2C1IM]+ differ considerably reflecting the influence of the anion on the physicochemical properties of the IL.

Insights into the translational and rotational dynamics of cations and anions in protic ionic liquids by means of NMR fast-field-cycling relaxometry

Understanding the translational and rotational dynamics of cations and anions in hydrogen bonded protic ionic liquids (PIls) is still a challenge. In this study, we determine self-diffusion coefficients and rotational correlation times of both ions in triethylammonium based PILs by means of NMR Fast-Field-Cycling (FFC) relaxometry. Global fits of 1H and 19F nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) curves allowed proper separation into intra and inter molecular relaxation rates for both NMR sensitive nuclei and thus a reliable description of translational and rotational motion for both ions individually. The diffusion coefficients of the cations are in the order of 6 × 10-11 m2 s-1 at room temperature and about 50 per cent larger than those of the anions. The diffusion coefficients of cations and anions in both PILs were compared with those we derived from applying an universal dispersion power law and those known from pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR studies. Considering the Nernst-Einstein equation, molar conductivities were calculated from cationic and anionic diffusion coefficients and related to directly measured molar conductivities, allowing the determination of the degree of dissociation. The rotational correlation times τR ranging from 50 ps up to 2 ns as a function of temperature were compared with those obtained from high-field NMR quadrupolar relaxation time measurements addressing explicitly the rotation of the NH vector and giving insights into the acidic proton mobility. The Stokes-Einstein and Stokes-Einstein-Debye relations were applied to relate the diffusion coefficients and rotational correlation times to the macroscopic bulk viscosity. The results were also discussed with respect to the archetypical PIL ethylammonium nitrate.

Computational NMR Study of Ion Pairing of 1-Decyl-3-methyl-imidazolium Chloride in Molecular Solvents

The 1H NMR spectra of 10-5 mole fraction solutions of 1-decyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquid in water, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane have been measured. The chemical shift of the proton at position 2 in the imidazolium ring of 1-decyl-3-methyl-imidazolium (H2) is rather different for all three samples, reflecting the shifting equilibrium between the contact pairs and free fully solvated ions. Classical molecular dynamics simulations of the 1-decyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride contact ion pair as well as of free ions in water, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane have been conducted, and the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods have been applied to predict NMR chemical shifts for the H2 proton. The chemical shift of the H2 proton was found to be primarily modulated by hydrogen bonding with the chloride anion, while the influence of the solvents-though differing in polarity and capabilities for hydrogen bonding-is less important. By comparing experimental and computational results, we deduce that complete disruption of the ionic liquid into free ions takes place in an aqueous solution. Around 23% of contact ion pairs were found to persist in acetonitrile. Ion-pair breaking into free ions was predicted not to occur in dichloromethane.

Structure and Stability of the Ionic Liquid Clusters [EMIM]n[BF4]n+1- (n = 1-9): Implications for Electrochemical Separations

Precise functionalization of electrodes with size-selected ionic liquid (IL) clusters may improve the application of ILs in electrochemical separations. Herein we report our combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the IL clusters 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM]_n[BF₄]_n+1^- (n = 1-9) and demonstrate their selectivity and efficiency toward targeted adsorption of ions from solution. The structures and energies of the IL clusters, predicted with global optimization, agree with and help interpret the ion abundances and stabilities measured by high-mass-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and collision-induced dissociation experiments. The [EMIM][BF₄]₂^- cluster, which was identified as the most stable IL cluster, was selectively soft-landed onto a working electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed a lower charge transfer resistance on the soft-landed electrode containing [EMIM][BF₄]₂^- compared with an electrode prepared by drop-casting of an IL solution containing the full range of IL clusters. Our findings indicate that specific IL clusters may be used to increase the efficiency of electrochemical separations by lowering the overpotentials involved.

Microstructural and Dynamical Heterogeneities in Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a special category of molten salts solely composed of ions with varied molecular symmetry and charge delocalization. The versatility in combining varied cation-anion moieties and in functionalizing ions with different atoms and molecular groups contributes to their peculiar interactions ranging from weak isotropic associations to strong, specific, and anisotropic forces. A delicate interplay among intra- and intermolecular interactions facilitates the formation of heterogeneous microstructures and liquid morphologies, which further contributes to their striking dynamical properties. Microstructural and dynamical heterogeneities of ILs lead to their multifaceted properties described by an inherent designer feature, which makes ILs important candidates for novel solvents, electrolytes, and functional materials in academia and industrial applications. Due to a massive number of combinations of ion pairs with ion species having distinct molecular structures and IL mixtures containing varied molecular solvents, a comprehensive understanding of their hierarchical structural and dynamical quantities is of great significance for a rational selection of ILs with appropriate properties and thereafter advancing their macroscopic functionalities in applications. In this review, we comprehensively trace recent advances in understanding delicate interplay of strong and weak interactions that underpin their complex phase behaviors with a particular emphasis on understanding heterogeneous microstructures and dynamics of ILs in bulk liquids, in mixtures with cosolvents, and in interfacial regions.

Carbon material-immobilized ionic liquids were applied on absorption of Hg2+ from water phase

In this study, several immobilized ionic liquid adsorbents on carbon materials were synthesized with impregnation method. The carrier materials were activated carbon and three kinds of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. And the synthetic adsorbents immobilized different kinds of ionic liquids were characterized by Boehm titration, FT-IR, XPS, TG, and BET analysis, respectively. Finally, carbon materials after [C4mim]HSO₄ immobilization were selected as adsorbent to remove Hg²⁺ from water phase. The optimum conditions of adsorption test of ionic liquid immobilized by multi-walled carbon nanotubes were as follows: the initial concentration of Hg²⁺ was 400 mg/L, the adsorbent addition amount was 40 mg, the temperature was 20 °C, the reaction time was 200 min, the removal rate of Hg²⁺ peaked at 62.95%, the adsorption capacity was reached 79.00 mg/g. The optimum conditions of adsorption test of ionic liquid immobilized by activated carbon were as follows: the initial concentration of Hg²⁺ was 300 mg/L, the adsorbent addition amount was 0.2 g, the temperature was 20 °C, pH was 2.0, the reaction time was 100 min, the removal rate of Hg²⁺ was more than 99%, the adsorption capacity was 118.65 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm fitting study found that the adsorption of adsorbent on Hg²⁺ was more in line with the Langmuir model, and the adsorption kinetics study shows that the adsorption process is consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The results of kinetic analysis are further verified by thermodynamic analysis.

Organoboron Ionic Liquids as Extractants for Distillation Process of Binary Ethanol + Water Mixtures

Aminoethers of boric acid, which are organoboron ionic liquids, were synthesized by using boric acid, triethanolamine, and triethylene glycol/diethylene glycol. Due to the formation of intermolecular complexes of borates, the structure of aminoethers of boric acid contains ion pairs separated in space, giving these compounds the properties inherent to ionic liquids. It is established that the thermal stability of aminoethers under normal atmospheric conditions increases with an increase in the size of the glycol. According to measurements of fast scanning calorimetry, density, dynamic viscosity, and electrical conductivity, water is involved in the structural organization of aminoethers of boric acid. The impact of the most thermostable organoboron ionic liquids on the phase equilibrium conditions of the vapor–liquid azeotropic ethanol–water mixture is studied. It is shown that the presence of these substances leads to increase in the relative volatility of ethanol. In general, the magnitude of this effect is at the level shown by imidazole ionic liquids, which provide high selectivity in the separation of aqueous alcohol solutions. A large separation factor, high resistance to thermal oxidative degradation processes, accompanied by low cost start reagents, make aminoethers of boric acid on the basis of triethylene glycol a potentially effective extractant for the extractive distillation of water–alcohol mixtures.

Dynamics in inorganic glass-forming liquids by NMR spectroscopy

Dynamical NMR spectroscopy provides unique mechanistic understanding of the transport and relaxation processes in glass-forming liquids over timescales typically ranging from ~10^-9 s to ~10² s, and thus has been used extensively in the past to study the dynamical behavior of polymeric and organic glass-forming liquids. However, reports in the literature of similar studies on inorganic glass-forming liquids have remained somewhat limited due to the experimental challenges. In this contribution we present a review of the high-temperature NMR spectroscopic studies of atomic and molecular dynamics in a wide variety of inorganic glass-forming liquids including oxides, halides and chalcogenides as well as select ionic liquids and molten salts. The significance of these dynamical processes in understanding the nature of the liquid-to-glass transition and their connection with the macroscopic transport properties of these liquids are discussed.

Reorientation dynamics and ion diffusivity of neat dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate probed by NMR spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy at two magnetic field strengths was employed to investigate the dynamics of dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([C1C1IM][(CH3)2PO4]). [C1C1IM][(CH3)2PO4] is a low-melting, halogen-free ionic liquid comprising of only methyl groups. 13C spin-lattice relaxation rates as well as self-diffusion coefficients were measured for [C1C1IM][(CH3)2PO4] as a function of temperature. The rotational correlation times, τ c, for the cation and the anion were obtained from the 13C spin-lattice relaxation rates. Although from a theoretical point of view cations and anions are similar in size, they show different reorientation mobilities and diffusivities. The self-diffusion coefficients and the rotational correlation times were related to the radii of the diffusing spheres. The analysis reveals that the radii of the cation and the anion, respectively, are different from each other but constant at temperatures ranging from 293 to 353 K. The experimental results are rationalised by a discrete and individual cation and anion diffusion. The [(CH3)2PO4]- anion reorients faster compared to the cation but diffuses significantly slower indicating the formation of anionic aggregates. Relaxation data were acquired with standard liquid and magic-angle-spinning NMR probes to estimate residual dipolar interactions, chemical shift anisotropy or differences in magnetic susceptibility within the sample.

Dynamics of [Pyr13][Tf2N] ionic liquid confined to carbon black

The intrinsic ionic nature of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) bears the potential to replace classical aqueous electrolytes in electrochemical applications, for example in metal-air batteries. For a systematic adjustment of RTIL properties in porous cathodes, the ionic arrangement under confinement is of prime importance. Using spectrally resolved pulsed gradient stimulated echo nuclear magnetic resonance (PGSTE-NMR) and spin-lattice NMR relaxation time (T₁) distributions, the dynamics of 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidiniumbis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Pyr₁₃][Tf₂N]) confined to carbon black were investigated. A considerable dependence of the [PYR₁₃] mobility on the loading fraction of the carbon black pore space was found. There is evidence for a preferential layering of the RTIL adjacent to the carbon surface and a dependence of the ionic configuration on the local structure of the carbon surface. The inversion efficiency of inversion-recovery T₁ data indicates a quasi-stationary layer at the carbon surface with solid-like properties, where the bulk-like properties of the RTIL are adopted as the distance to the surface increases. From the NMR diffusion data an intermediate layer between the quasi-stationary and the bulk-like RTIL is evident. This layer shows a particularly strong pore space loading dependence. While it has an anisotropic, two-dimensional mobility with reduced diffusion perpendicular to the surface at any loading, when it interfaces a gas phase at low loading its mobility is higher than bulk diffusion by up to an order of magnitude and chemical exchange with other layers is low. This layer appears to be of particular importance for the ion exchange between RTIL environments with different spacing from the carbon surface and hence crucial for the overall dynamics of RTILs in the investigated porous environment.

Investigating Intermolecular Interactions in a DME-Based Hybrid Ionic Liquid Electrolyte by HOESY NMR

The intermolecular interactions in a hybrid electrolyte based on various compositions of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propyl pyrrolidinium bis-fluorosulfonylimide (C₃mpyrFSI), LiFSI salt and an ether-based additive, 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME), have been investigated using the HOESY (Heteronuclear Overhauser Effect SpectroscopY) NMR experiment. This NMR technique allows a quantification of the intermolecular interactions in ionic liquids (ILs) by measuring the cross-relaxation rate (σ) between different pairs of nuclei. Thereby, we compare the cross-relaxation rates between the cations, anions and DME in these hybrid electrolyte systems using ¹H-⁷Li and ¹H-¹⁹F HOESY experiments, and interpret the measured parameters in terms of ionic and molecular associations. The results give insights into the local coordination environment of the Li⁺ cations and their solvation by the FSI anions and DME.

Dealing with supramolecular structure for ionic liquids: a DOSY NMR approach

Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is a powerful method for the NMR analysis of ionic liquids. Thus the dynamic-structural behaviour of imidazolium ionic liquids has been investigated by measurements of direct ¹H diffusion coefficients in different solvents.

Linking Structure to Dynamics in Protic Ionic Liquids: A Neutron Scattering Study of Correlated and Single-Particle Motions

Coupling between dynamical heterogeneity of ionic liquids and their structural periodicity on different length-scales can be directly probed by quasielastic neutron scattering with polarization analysis. The technique provides the tools to investigate single-particle and cooperative ion motions separately and, thus, dynamics of ion associations affecting the net charge transport can be experimentally explored. The focus of this study is the structure-dynamic relationship in the protic ionic liquid, triethylammonium triflate, characterized by strong hydrogen bonds between cations and anions. The site-selective deuterium/hydrogen-isotope substitution was applied to modulate the relative contributions of different atom groups to the total coherent and incoherent scattering signal. This approach in combination with molecular dynamics simulations allowed us to obtain a sophisticated description of cation self-diffusion and confined ion pair dynamics from the incoherent spectral component by using the acidic proton as a tagged particle. The coherent contribution of the neutron spectra demonstrated substantial ion association leading to collective ion migration that preserves charge alteration on picosecond time scale, as well as correlation of the localized dynamics occurring between adjacent ions.

Transdermal insulin delivery using choline-based ionic liquids (CAGE)

Transdermal delivery of pharmaceuticals using ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents (DES) has attracted significant interest due to the inherent tunability of the molecules and their capacity to transport large molecules across the skin. Several key properties of DESs including viscosity, miscibility and possible transport enhancement can be controlled through the choice of ions and their ratio in DES. Herein we investigate the effect of cation/anion ratio using Choline and Geranic acid (CAGE) based DES. We synthesized variants of CAGE by controlling the ratio of Choline to Geranic acid over a range of 1:4 to 2:1. Physicochemical properties including viscosity, conductivity and diffusivity were measured. Effect of CAGE on skin permeability was assessed using insulin in ex vivo porcine skin. Each variant was found to have distinct properties, including interionic interactions, viscosity, and conductivity. In addition, the effect of CAGE on stratum corneum lipids, as assessed by FTIR, was dependent on its composition. Transport enhancement was also composition-dependent, as the variants containing excess geranic acid (1:2 and 1:4, but not geranic acid alone) exhibited higher insulin delivery into the dermis compared to other compositions, demonstrating the importance of investigating the effect of ion ratios on drug delivery.

Impact of Anions on the Partition Constant, Self-Diffusion, Thermal Stability, and Toxicity of Dicationic Ionic Liquids

Partition constants (K_D^°), molecular dynamics (T₁, T₂, and DOSY measurements), thermal stability, and toxicity of dicationic ionic liquids (ILs) were determined. The dicationic ILs derived from 1,n-bis(3-methylimidazolim-1-yl)octane, [BisOct(MIM)₂][2X] (in which X = Cl, Br, NO₃, SCN, BF₄, and NTf₂), were evaluated to verify the influence of anion structure on the IL properties. A monocationic IL [Oct(MIM)][Br] was also monitored for comparison. In general, the solubility of the ILs followed the anion free energy of hydration (ΔG°_hyd). The thermokinetic and thermodynamic functions of activation of the ILs were determined via thermogravimetric data, and it was observed that polyatomic anions influence the decomposition mechanism of these IL structures. Furthermore, [Oct(MIM)][Br] had a decomposition rate greater than that of the dicationic analogue, and the thermodynamic parameters of activation data corroborate these results. Finally, the dicationic ILs did not indicate toxic effects (LD₅₀ > 40 mM).

The local structure in the BmimPF6/acetonitrile mixture: the charge distribution effect

The effect of the charge distribution on the local structure in the binary mixture of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF₆) ionic liquid and acetonitrile is investigated over the entire composition range.

NMR spectroscopic studies of a TAT-derived model peptide in imidazolium-based ILs: influence on chemical shifts and the cis/trans equilibrium state

The impact of ionic liquids on the chemical shifts and the cis/trans equilibrium state of a model peptide was systematically investigated by NMR spectroscopy.

Dynamic Heterogeneity and Flexibility of the Alkyl Chain in Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquids

Changing the number of carbon atoms in the substituents of ionic liquids (ILs) is a way to shift the balance between Coulomb and van der Waals forces and, thus, to tune physicochemical properties. Here we address this topic on the microscopic level by employing quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) and provide information about the stochastic ionic motions in the N-alkylpyridinium based ILs in a relatively expanded time range, from short time (subpicosecond) particle rattling to long time diffusive regime (hundreds of picoseconds). We have systematically investigated the effect of the alkyl chain length on the picosecond dynamics by employing partial deuteration of the samples and varying the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent. The localized dynamics of the side groups have appeared to be enhanced for bulkier cations, which is opposite to the trend observed for the translational motion. This result highlights the role of the conformational flexibility of the alkyl group on the dynamical properties of ILs.

Slow Molecular Motions in Ionic Liquids Probed by Cross-Relaxation of Nuclear Spins During Overhauser Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Solution-state Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) at moderate fields, performed by saturating the electron spin resonance (ESR) of a free radical added to the sample of interest, is well known to lead to significant NMR signal enhancements in the steady state, owing to electron-nuclear cross-relaxation. Here it is shown that under conditions which limit radical access to the molecules of interest, the time course of establishment of ODNP can provide a unique window into internuclear cross-relaxation, and reflects relatively slow molecular motions. This behavior, modeled mathematically by a three-spin version of the Solomon equations (one unpaired electron and two nuclear spins), is demonstrated experimentally on the ¹⁹ F/¹ H system in ionic liquids. Bulky radicals in these viscous environments turn out to be just the right setting to exploit these effects. Compared to standard nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) work, the present experiment offers significant improvement in dynamic range and sensitivity, retains usable chemical shift information, and reports on molecular motions in the sub-megahertz (MHz) to tens of MHz range-motions which are not accessed at high fields.

Deuteron quadrupole coupling constants and reorientational correlation times in protic ionic liquids

We describe a method for the accurate determination of deuteron quadrupole coupling constants and reorientational correlation times in protic ionic liquids by means of NMR relaxations time experiments, DFT-calculations and molecular dynamics simulations.

Influence of Elemental Iodine on Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids: Solution and Solid-State Effects

Ionic liquids doped with I2, usually resulting in the formation of polyiodide anions, are extensively used as electrolytes and in iodination reactions. Herein, NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction were used to rationalize the structures of imidazolium-based polyiodide ionic liquids in the liquid and solid states. Combined, these studies show that extensive interactions between the imidazolium cation and the resulting polyiodide anion are present, which have the net effect of lengthening, polarizing, and weakening the I-I bonds in the anion. This bond weakening rationalizes the high conductivity and reactivity of ionic liquids doped with I2.

Direct determination of ionic transference numbers in ionic liquids by electrophoretic NMR

Transference numbers of ions in a series of ionic liquids are obtained from electrophoretic mobilities by eNMR.