Task Specific Dicationic Ionic Liquids: Recyclable Reaction Media for the Mononuclear Rearrangement of Heterocycles

Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles containing an allomaltol moiety from substituted pyrano[2,3-d]isoxazolones via base-promoted Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement

For the first time, the interaction of aroyl containing pyrano[2,3-d]isoxazolone derivatives with various hydrazines was studied. It was shown that the considered process includes formation of corresponding hydrazones followed by Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement. As a result, the general method for the synthesis of substituted 1,2,3-triazoles bearing an allomaltol fragment was elaborated. The suggested approach can be applied to various aromatic and heterocyclic hydrazines. At the same time for unsubstituted hydrazine the Boulton-Katritzky recyclization is not implemented. In this case the opening of the pyranone ring was observed leading to pyrazolylisoxazole derivatives. Both types of aforementioned structures were proved by X-ray analysis.

Facile Synthesis of Tetra-Branched Tetraimidazolium and Tetrapyrrolidinium Ionic Liquids

A facile synthetic route for tetra-branched tetraimidazolium and tetrapyrrolidinium ionic liquids was developed. In contrast to the previous synthetic scheme, the new synthetic route requires only three reaction steps instead of seven. The total yield of tetracation was also improved from 17-21 to 39-41%. Using the new synthetic scheme, four kinds of tetracations were synthesized from the combination of two cationic units (imidazolium and pyrrolidinium) and two counteranions [bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI)]. Basic physical properties including glass transition temperature, thermal decomposition temperature, density, viscosity, and ionic conductivity were determined. The counterion exchange from TFSI to FSI resulted in lower glass transition temperature and higher ionic conductivity. Tetrapyrrolidinium exhibited higher viscosity and lower ionic conductivity than tetraimidazolium. The counterion exchange from TFSI to FSI resulted in lower viscosity in the case of tetraimidazolium, while the opposite result was obtained in the case of tetrapyrrolidinium. Tetracations composed of ethyl imidazolium units, diethylene glycol spacers, and FSI counterions exhibited the highest ionic conductivity of 3.5 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at 25 °C under anhydrous conditions. This is the best ionic conductivity in the tetracations ever reported.

Ionic liquids: "normal" solvents or nanostructured fluids?

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a class of non-conventional solvents, which, for almost two decades, have continued to generate burgeoning interest in different fields of present-day chemical research with few similar precedents. Among the various aspects related to ILs, a topic worthy of in-depth analysis is their influence on organic reactivity and reaction rates. In light of this, the present short review aims to provide an overview of the literature from 2010 to the present day that addresses this issue. In particular, we herein present two main different viewpoints by which the solvent effect of ILs is explained: the first is mainly based on considering the bulk polarity of ILs and linear solvation energy relationships, while the other treats ILs as nanostructured fluids. In both cases, studies dealing with IL mixtures are also covered. Finally, literature addressing the area of supramolecular catalysis "by" or "in" ILs is also reported. This is one of the few reviews covering these specific aspects, aiming to provide a useful framework to guide future research into the effects of ILs on organic reactivity.

WO3 and Ionic Liquids: A Synergic Pair for Pollutant Gas Sensing and Desulfurization

This review deals with the notable results obtained by the synergy between ionic liquids (ILs) and WO3 in the field of pollutant gas sensing and sulfur removal pretreatment of fuels. Starting from the known characteristics of tungsten trioxide as catalytic material, many authors have proposed the use of ionic liquids in order to both direct WO3 production towards controllable nanostructures (nanorods, nanospheres, etc.) and to modify the metal oxide structure (incorporating ILs) in order to increase the gas adsorption ability and, thus, the catalytic efficiency. Moreover, ionic liquids are able to highly disperse WO3 in composites, thus enhancing the contact surface and the catalytic ability of WO3 in both hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of liquid fuels. In particular, the use of ILs in composite synthesis can direct the hydrogenation process (HDS) towards sulfur compounds rather than towards olefins, thus preserving the octane number of the fuel while highly reducing the sulfur content and, thus, the possibility of air pollution with sulfur oxides. A similar performance enhancement was obtained in ODS, where the high dispersion of WO3 (due to the use of ILs during the synthesis) allows for noteworthy results at very low temperatures (50 °C).

1-Octyl-3-(3-(1-methylpyrrolidiniumyl)propyl)imidazolium Bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide

The title compound 1-octyl-3-(3-(1-methylpyrrolidiniumyl)propyl)imidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide was prepared in three steps. This asymmetrical dicationic ionic liquid (ADIL) is composed of two different positively charged head groups (1-octylimidazolium and methylpyrrolidinium cations), which are linked through a propyl alkyl chain and by two bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anions. The final ADIL was obtained by a simple metathesis reaction of the corresponding dibromide ionic liquid, in turn prepared by alkylation of 3-(3-bromopropyl)-1-propylimidazolium bromide. The ADIL structure and those of its precursors were confirmed through NMR and infrared spectroscopy, and the thermal properties of all compounds were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Density, solubility, and viscosity were measured for the prepared compounds.

Task-Specific Organic Salts and Ionic Liquids Binary Mixtures: A Combination to Obtain 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural From Carbohydrates

The increase in energy demand and depletion of fossil fuels are among major issues of modern society. Valorization and transformation of raw materials in products of industrial value represent a challenge. This justifies the growing interest of scientific research toward the identification of suitable media and methodologies able to pursue above goals, paying attention to matter of sustainability. On this subject, we studied sulfonic-acid functionalized diimidazolium salts as catalysts for the conversion of fructose and sucrose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in an ionic liquid mixture. In general, using these salts allowed us to obtain 5-HMF in good yields from both substrates in mild conditions. Indeed, at 60°C and in the presence of 20 mol% of catalyst, 5-HMF yields of 60 and 30% were obtained from fructose and sucrose, respectively. The catalytic system was recycled and used up to six times observing no appreciable loss in yield for the first four cycles. Moreover, we gathered mechanistic information by in situ 1H NMR monitoring the dehydration of fructose. To dissect the role of acidity on the reaction, we determined the Hammett acidity function of each salt. Comparison of these results with yields and reactivity observed in the presence of related monocationic salts and with a dicationic salt bearing only one sulfonic acid group, allowed stating that the reactivity observed is the result of the combined action of acidity and structural features of the catalysts. Overall, the approach proposed here could contribute to pave the way to increase sustainability in the raw material valorization processes.

Differences in the behavior of dicationic and monocationic ionic liquids as revealed by time resolved-fluorescence, NMR and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

With an aim to understand the behavior in terms of the intermolecular interactions, structure and dynamics of dicationic and monocationic ionic liquids (ILs), two imidazolium-based dicationic ionic liquids (DILs), 1,8-bis-(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)octane bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C₈(mim)₂][NTf₂]₂), 1,9-bis-(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)nonane bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C₉(mim)₂][NTf₂]₂), and one monocationic ionic liquid (MIL), 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C₄(mim)][NTf₂]), have been investigated through combined fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), NMR and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The DILs were synthesized by following a standard synthetic protocol and subsequently characterized by different analytical techniques. Steady state absorption, emission and EPR spectroscopic data reveal that DILs are less polar compared to MIL. The polarities of the DILs and MIL were found to be close to those of acetonitrile and short chain alcohols, respectively. The excitation wavelength dependent emission data reveals that DILs are more micro-heterogeneous in nature than MIL. The rotational diffusion of two organic solutes, perylene and 8-methoxypyrene-1,3,6-sulfonate (MPTS), were examined in the DILs and MIL. The rotational diffusion data for perylene and MPTS were analyzed in light of the Stokes-Einstein-Debye (SED) hydrodynamic theory. The rotation of perylene in the DILs was observed to be relatively faster to that in the MIL, and it goes beyond the limit predicted by the SED theory. In order to explain the rotational motion of perylene in DILs, the data was analyzed further by invoking quasi-hydrodynamic theory. The observed rotational behavior of perylene has been explained by considering the fact that perylene is located in the nonpolar region of ILs, and larger solvent molecules (DILs) induce a lower friction to the rotating solute. Interestingly, unlike perylene, rotations of MPTS in both of the ILs were observed to be much hindered indicating a relatively stronger MPTS-IL interaction than perylene-IL interaction. More interestingly, rotation of MPTS was observed to be faster in the DILs than that in the MIL despite the fact that DILs are more viscous than MILs. Relatively faster rotation of MPTS in DILs has been explained by resorting to NMR and FCS studies. The outcomes of the NMR and FCS studies revealed that DILs in the experimental condition exist in their folded form and because of this structural restriction of DILs it becomes difficult for the bulky MPTS to make stronger hydrogen bonding interactions with DILs, which eventually makes the rotation of MPTS in DILs faster. Essentially, the outcomes of all of these studies have demonstrated that the behavior of DILs is quite different to that of the usual MILs.

Dual function of amino acid ionic liquids (Bmim[AA]) on the degradation of the organophosphorus pesticide, Paraoxon®

The degradation of Paraoxon using Bmim[AA] ILs, is reached with a higher efficiency and without an extra nucleophile.

The effects of structural changes on the anti-microbial and anti-proliferative activities of diimidazolium salts

Anti-microbial and anti-proliferative activities of diimidazolium salts have been analyzed as a function of the main changes in their structural features.

Ionic Liquid Promoted Diazenylation of N-Heterocyclic Compounds with Aryltriazenes under Mild Conditions

An efficient, mild, and metal-free approach to direct diazenylation of N-heterocyclic compounds with aryltriazenes using Brønsted ionic liquid as a promoter has been developed for the first time. Many N-heterocyclic azo compounds were synthesized in good to excellent yields at room temperature under an open atmosphere. Notably, the promoter 1,3-bis(4-sulfobutyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hydrogen sulfate could be conveniently recycled and reused with the same efficacies for at least four cycles.

Functionalised diimidazolium salts: the anion effect on the catalytic ability

How is it possible to catalyze and simultaneously control the outcome of a reaction? Employing task specific ionic liquids and changing their anions.

Green method for the synthesis of chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones through ionic liquid promoted directed annulation of 5-(aryloxy)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes in aqueous media

The first classical heterocyclic ionic liquid (IL) promoted C-H bond oxidant cross-coupling reaction for the intramolecular annulation of 5-(aryloxy)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes to chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones has been disclosed. The promoter 1,3-dibutyl-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-3-ium bromide can be easily recycled and reused with the same efficacies for at least five cycles in aqueous medium. The strategy works smoothly and provides an applicable protocol to construct a wide range of products.

Design and fabrication of mesoporous heterogeneous basic catalysts

Recent advances in mesoporous solid bases were reviewed, and fundamental principles of how to fabricate efficient basic catalysts were highlighted.