Polymerized ionic liquid Co-catalysts driving photocatalytic CO2 transformation

Photocatalytic production of CO from CO2 has the potential for safe and atom-economic production of feedstock chemicals via in situ carbonylation chemistry. We developed novel ionic liquid-based polymeric materials through radical copolymerisation of 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride and photocatalytically active Re- and Ru-complexes that serve as the CO2 reduction catalyst and photosensitiser, respectively. The crosslinked polymeric framework allows for the facile immobilisation of molecular organometallic complexes for use as heterogenised catalysts; moreover, the involved imidazolium core units co-catalyze the reduction of CO2 via covalent interaction. The ratio of sensitiser and catalyst was analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) and set in relation to results from photocatalytic experiments. Ultimately, the heterogenous polymeric framework showed high selectivity for CO formation on photocatalytic CO2 reduction with improved stability to the corresponding homogenous system.

Highly Efficient and Selective Extraction of Gold from Thiosulfate Leaching Solution Using Functionalized Dicationic Ionic Liquids

Thiosulfate leaching has been regarded as a promising alternative to cyanidation, but it still faces the challenge of the recovery of low content of gold from high concentrations of thiosulfate solutions. Liquid-liquid extraction is a method to address this issue but is still limited by the use of volatile and toxic organic solvents. To overcome this limitation, this work synthesized some functionalized dicationic ionic liquids (DILs) to serve as extraction solvents for the recovery of the gold-thiosulfate complex, [Au(S2O3)2]3-, from thiosulfate solutions. Experimental results indicated that the DILs showed higher extraction rates toward [Au(S2O3)2]3- compared with their monocationic-based counterparts, likely due to the stronger electrostatic interaction between the dications of the ILs and [Au(S2O3)2]3-. The transfer of [Au(S2O3)2]3- from the water phase to the IL phase was identified as an anion exchange and endothermic process. The rate of extraction was limited by the anion exchange process occurring at the IL-water interface. The extraction ability of ILs highly depended on the type of anion; specifically, the ILs with anions that had strong hydrogen-bonding ability exhibited high extraction ability toward [Au(S2O3)2]3-. Finally, DILs proved effective in the recovery of [Au(S2O3)2]3- from an actual gold leaching solution and exhibited high selectivity toward coexisting ions, indicating their potential as environmentally friendly solvents for gold recovery.

Anion-Dependent Strength Scale of Interactions in Ionic Liquids from X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics, and Density Functional Theory

Using a combination of experiments and calculations, we have gained new insights into the nature of anion-cation interactions in ionic liquids (ILs). An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-derived anion-dependent electrostatic interaction strength scale, determined using XPS core-level binding energies for IL cations, is presented here for 39 different anions, with at least 18 new anions included. Linear correlations of experimental XPS core-level binding energies for IL cations with (a) calculated core binding energies (ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations were used to generate high-quality model IL structures followed by single-point density functional theory (DFT) to obtain calculated core binding energies), (b) experimental XPS core-level binding energies for IL anions, and (c) other anion-dependent interaction strength scales led to three main conclusions. First, the effect of different anions on the cation can be related to ground-state interactions. Second, the variations of anion-dependent interactions with the identity of the anion are best rationalized in terms of electrostatic interactions and not occupied valence state/unoccupied valence state interactions or polarizability-driven interactions. Therefore, the XPS-derived anion-dependent interaction strength scale can be explained using a simple electrostatic model based on electrostatic site potentials. Third, anion-probe interactions, irrespective of the identity of the probe, are primarily electrostatic, meaning that our electrostatic interaction strength scale captures some inherent, intrinsic property of anions independent of the probe used to measure the interaction strength scale.

Thermoresponsive Ionic Liquid with Different Cation-Anion Pairs as Draw Solutes in Forward Osmosis

We synthesized various phosphonium- and ammonium-based ionic liquids (ILs), using benzenesulfonate (BS) and 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (MBS) to establish the criteria for designing an ideal draw solute in a forward osmosis (FO) system. Additionally, the effects of monocationic, dicationic, and anionic species on FO performance were studied. Monocationic compounds ([P₄₄₄₄][BS], [P₄₄₄₄][MBS], [N₄₄₄₄][BS], and [N₄₄₄₄][MBS]) were obtained in one step via anion exchange. Dicationic compounds ([(P₄₄₄₄)₂][BS], [(P₄₄₄₄)₂][MBS], [(N₄₄₄₄)₂][BS], and [(N₄₄₄₄)₂][MBS]) were prepared in two steps via a Menshutkin SN₂ reaction and anion exchange. We also investigated the suitability of ILs as draw solutes for FO systems. The aqueous [P₄₄₄₄][BS], [N₄₄₄₄][BS], [N₄₄₄₄][MBS], and [(N₄₄₄₄)₂][BS] solutions did not exhibit thermoresponsive behavior. However, 20 wt% [P₄₄₄₄][MBS], [(P₄₄₄₄)₂][BS], [(P₄₄₄₄)₂][MBS], and [(N₄₄₄₄)₂][MBS] had critical temperatures of approximately 43, 33, 22, and 60 °C, respectively, enabling their recovery using temperature. An increase in IL hydrophobicity and bulkiness reduces its miscibility with water, demonstrating that it can be used to tune its thermoresponsive properties. Moreover, the FO performance of 20 wt% aqueous [(P₄₄₄₄)₂][MBS] solution was tested for water flux and found to be approximately 10.58 LMH with the active layer facing the draw solution mode and 9.40 LMH with the active layer facing the feed solution.

Screening Ionic Liquids Based on Ionic Volume and Electrostatic Potential Analyses

Ionic liquids (ILs) are known to have tunable solvation properties, based on the pairing of different anions and cations, but the compositional landscape is vast and challenging to navigate efficiently. Some computational screening protocols are available, but they can be either time-consuming or difficult to implement. Herein, we perform a detailed investigation of the fundamental role of electrostatic interactions in these systems. We effectively develop a bridge between the previous volume-based approach with a quantum structure-property relationship approach to create fast, simple screening guidelines. We propose a new parameter that is applicable to both monovalent and multivalent ions, the ionic polarity index (IPI), which is defined as the ratio of the average electrostatic surface potential (V̅) of the ion to the net charge of the ion (q). The IPI correlation has been tested on a diverse data set of 121 ions, and reliable predictions can be obtained within a homologous series of IL compounds.

Macroscopic Differentiators for Microscopic Structural Nonideality in Binary Ionic Liquid Mixtures

Combining two ionic liquids to form a binary ionic liquid mixture is a simple yet effective strategy to not only expand the number of ionic liquids but also precisely control various physicochemical properties of resultant ionic liquid mixtures. From a fundamental thermodynamic point of view, it is not entirely clear whether such mixtures can be classified as ideal solutions. Given a large number of binary ionic liquid mixtures that emerge, the ability to predict the presence of nonideality in such mixtures a priori without the need for experimentation or molecular simulation-based calculations is immensely valuable for their rational design. In this research report, we demonstrate that the difference in the molar volumes (ΔV) of the pure ionic liquids and the difference in the hydrogen-bonding ability of anions (Δβ) are the primary determinants of nonideal behavior of binary ionic liquid mixtures containing a common cation and two anions. Our conclusion is derived from a comparison of microscopic structural properties expressed in terms of radial, spatial, and angular distributions for binary mixtures and those of the corresponding pure ionic liquids. Molecular dynamics simulations of 16 binary ionic liquid mixtures, containing a common cation 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [C₄mim]⁺ and combinations of (less basic) fluorinated {trifluoromethylacetate [TFA]^-, trifluoromethanesulfonate [TFS]^-, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [NTf₂]^-, and tris (pentafluoroethyl) trifluorophosphate [eFAP]^-} versus (more basic) nonfluorinated {chloride Cl^-, acetate [OAC]^-, methylsulfate [MeSO₄]^-, and dimethylphosphate [Me₂PO₄]^-} anions, were conducted. The large number of binary ionic liquid mixtures examined here enabled us to span a broad range of ΔV and Δβ values. The results indicate that binary mixtures of two ionic liquids for which ΔV > 60 cm³/mol and Δβ > 0.4 are expected to be microscopically nonideal. On the other hand, ΔV < 60 cm³/mol and Δβ < 0.4 will lead to molecular structures that are not differentiated from those of their pure ionic liquid counterparts.

Catalyst-free esterification of high amylose starch with maleic anhydride in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride: The effect of amylose content on the degree of MA substitution

The limited reactivity of starch towards maleic anhydride (MA) affords maleate with a low degree of MA substitutions (CC and COOH groups). In this study, we investigated the relationship between the starch structure, controlled by its amylose (AM)/amylopectin (AP) ratio, and the DS of starch maleates using C₄[mim]Cl as the recyclable media, and catalyst. The results indicated that starches with varying AM/AP ratio produced maleates with comparable CC groups (DS_NMR = 0.06-0.07). Following dissolution, the high amylose (DS_titration = 1.17, yield = 69.2 %) and regular starches (DS_titration = 1.17; yield = 59.3 %) produced high DS_titration maleates (COOH groups) at MA/AGU ratio of 12:1 (80 °C, 10 min). Comparatively, DS_titration value of waxy starch maleates (DS_titration = 0.88, yield = 59.3 %) was lower than AM-based starches, possibly due to the crosslinking tendency of AP branches consisting of carboxylic end-groups. Interestingly, DS_titration value for EHCS (1.17) ranged between its bulk (DS_NMR: 0.06) and surface distribution of MA (DSS_XPS 1.7); therefore, we considered it reliable for future reference.

Sugar dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in mixtures of water/[Bmim]Cl catalyzed by iron sulfate

Stabilization effect of [Bmim]Cl on HMF is demonstrated, which can suppress the rehydration and polymerization side-reactions and enhance HMF yield.

Probing the impact of the N3-substituted alkyl chain on the electronic environment of the cation and the anion for 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids

XPS is used to probe the impact of the N3-substituted alkyl chain on the electronic environment of the cation and the anion by comparing two types of imidazolium cations, 1-alkyl-3-butylimidazolium and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium.

Establishing Predictive Models for Solvatochromic Parameters of Ionic Liquids

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) in applications ranging from catalysis to reaction media in organic synthesis has been successfully demonstrated in several cases. For any given IL application, fundamental properties, such as viscosity, thermal stability, and toxicity have to be considered. Another property of interest is the polarity, which is a crucial indicator of solvent effects on chemical processes. Given the near-infinite combinations of cations and anions, experimental determination of solvatochromic parameters, such as the hydrogen-bond acidity and basicity, and dipolarity-polarizability is prohibitive. To address this, we evaluate the utility of alternative schemes based on parameters derived from COSMO-RS (COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents) computations. The scheme is applied to a large library of yet-to-be-synthesized ionic liquids, to identify promising candidates for applications in biomass dissolution.

Rheology of Concentrated Polymer/Ionic Liquid Solutions: An Anomalous Plasticizing Effect and a Universality in Nonlinear Shear Rheology

An anomalous plasticizing effect was observed in polymer/ionic liquid (IL) solutions by applying broad range of rheological techniques. Poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)/IL solutions exhibit stronger dynamic temperature dependence than pure PEO, which is in conflict with the knowledge that lower-Tg solvent increases the fractional free volume. For poly(methy methacrylate)(PMMA)/IL solutions, the subtle anomaly was detected from the fact that the effective glass transition temperature Tg,eff of PMMA in IL is higher than the prediction of the self-concentration model, while in conventional polymer solutions, Tg,eff follows the original Fox equation. Observations in both solutions reveal retarded segmental dynamics, consistent with a recent simulation result (Macromolecules, 2018, 51, 5336) that polymer chains wrap the IL cations by hydrogen bonding interactions and the segmental unwrapping delays their relaxation. Start-up shear and nonlinear stress relaxation tests of polymer/IL solutions follow a universal nonlinear rheological behavior as polymer melts and solutions, indicating that the segment-cation interaction is not strong enough to influence the nonlinear chain orientation and stretch. The present work may arouse the further theoretical, experimental, and simulation interests in interpreting the effect of complex polymer-IL interaction on the dynamics of polymer/IL solutions.

Human cytotoxicity and octanol/water partition coefficients of fluorinated ionic liquids

The use of fluorinated ionic liquids (FILs) as novel materials in biological and pharmaceutical applications is an emerging research field. The knowledge of their cytotoxicity and that of 1-octanol/water partition coefficients are essential to assess their environmental risks, to estimate their toxicity and activity, or the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance, as well as to explore their properties as solvents in extraction processes or for successful drug design. The study of the cytotoxicity in four different human cell lines and the experimental measurement of the partition coefficient between 1-octanol and water (P_o/w), using the slow-stirring method, were carried out for several FILs. In both studies, the effect of the cation ([C₂C₁Im]⁺, [C₂C₁py]⁺, [C₄C₁pyr]⁺, [N_1112(OH)]⁺, or [N₄₄₄₄]⁺), the cationic alkyl side-chain length ([C_nC₁Im]⁺, with n = 2, 6, 8 or 12), and the anionic fluorinated chain length/anionic fluorinated domain size ([C₄F₉SO₃]¯, [C₈F₁₇SO₃]¯, or [N(C₄F₉SO₃)₂]¯) were analysed. The results reveal that both toxicity and partition properties are mainly influenced by the size of the cationic hydrogenated alkyl side-chain and that of the anionic fluorinated domain. The intrinsic tuneability of the FILs allows for their selection according to the lipophilic or hydrophilic character of the target biological system under consideration. The toxicity studies corroborate the biocompatible nature of some FILs tested in this work. Along, for all the FILs under study P_o/w < 1.00. Accordingly, a decadic logarithm of the bioconcentration factor in fish of 0.5 would be estimated, which is below the regulatory endpoint used by regulatory agencies.

Liquid-liquid extraction of phenolic compounds from water using ionic liquids: Literature review and new experimental data using [C2mim]FSI

In this work, the capability of the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, [C₂mim]FSI, to extract o-cresol, 2-chlorophenol, resorcinol and phenol from water, reaching the legal limit of 1 mg L^-1 was analyzed. The extraction process was carried out for each one of these phenolic compounds varying the initial concentration in water from 3 mg L^-1 to 1000 mg L^-1, and for aqueous mixtures of the four phenolic compounds in the same concentration range. Because of the scarcity of physical properties of the [C₂mim]FSI, density, speed of sound, dynamic viscosity and refractive index were measured from 293.15 to 343.15 K at atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, the thermal expansion coefficient and the isentropic compressibility for the pure ionic liquid were calculated. Even though [C₂mim]FSI is hydrophobic, it can solve small quantities of water that can hinder the recovery of the ionic liquid, consequently the solubility of water in the ionic liquid was determined at several temperatures and atmospheric pressure. In addition to experimental data, a literature review on the use of ionic liquids to extract phenolic compounds from water was performed.

Hydrogen bond basicity of ionic liquids and molar entropy of hydration of salts as major descriptors in the formation of aqueous biphasic systems

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) composed of ionic liquids (ILs) and conventional salts have been largely investigated and successfully used in separation processes, for which the determination of the corresponding ternary phase diagrams is a prerequisite. However, due the large number of ILs that can be prepared and their high structural versatility, it is impossible to experimentally cover and characterize all possible combinations of ILs and salts that may form ABS. The development of tools for the prediction and design of IL-based ABS is thus a crucial requirement. Based on a large compilation of experimental data, a correlation describing the formation of IL-based ABS is shown here, based on the hydrogen-bonding interaction energies of ILs (EHB) obtained by the COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) and the molar entropy of hydration of the salt ions. The ability of the proposed model to predict the formation of novel IL-based ABS is further ascertained.

Suppression and dissolution of amyloid aggregates using ionic liquids

Amyloid aggregates are composed of protein fibrils with a dominant β-sheet structure, are water-insoluble, and are involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. Development of pharmaceuticals to treat these diseases and the design of recovery agents for amyloid-type inclusion bodies require the successful suppression and dissolution of such aggregates. Since ionic liquids (ILs) are composed of both a cation and anion and are known to suppress protein aggregation and to dissolve water-insoluble compounds such as cellulose; they may also have potential use as suppression/dissolution agents for amyloid aggregates. In the following review, we present the suppression and dissolution effects of ILs on amyloid aggregates so far reported. The protein-IL affinity (the ability of ILs to interact with amyloid proteins) was found to be the biochemical basis for ILs' suppression of amyloid formation, and the hydrogen-bonding basicity of ILs might be the basis for their ability to dissolve amyloid aggregates. These findings present the potential of ILs to serve as novel pharmaceuticals to treat neurodegenerative diseases and as recovery agents for various amyloid aggregates.

Relationship between lignocellulosic biomass dissolution and physicochemical properties of ionic liquids composed of 3-methylimidazolium cations and carboxylate anions

Experimental and simulation studies identify 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium formate as an efficient biomass solvent, mainly due to strong interactions with hemicellulose.

Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fluorescence Spectroscopic Investigation of the Interactions of Ionic Liquids and Catalase

The inhibitory effects of nine ionic liquids (ILs) on the catalase activity were investigated using fluorescence, absorption ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The interactions of ILs and catalase on the molecular level were studied. The experimental results indicated that ILs could inhibit the catalase activity and their inhibitory abilities depended on their chemical structures. Fluorescence experiments showed that hydrogen bonding played an important role in the interaction process. The inhibitory abilities of ILs on catalase activity could be simply described by their hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding abilities. Unexpected less inhibitory effects of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO^-) might be ascribed to its larger size, which makes it difficult to go through the substrate channel of catalase to the active site.

Spectroscopic studies on the inhibitory effects of ionic liquids on lipase activity

The effects of ionic liquids (ILs) on the lipase activity were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the IL-lipase interaction mechanism at the molecular level was investigated by fluorescence technique. Experimental results indicated that the lipase activity was inhibited by ILs and the degree of inhibition highly depended on the chemical structures of ILs. The inhibitory ability of the Cl(-)- and Br(-)-based ILs increased with increasing the alkyl chain length in the IL cation. Thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) were obtained by analyzing the fluorescence behavior of lipase with the addition of ILs. Both ΔH and ΔS were positive suggesting hydrophobicity was the major driven force for the Cl(-)- and Br(-)-based ILs. For the BF4(-)-, CF3SO3(-)-, ClO4(-)- and N(CN)2(-)-based ILs, hydrogen bonding was the main driven force. For a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of ILs on lipase activity, the roles of hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding must be considered simultaneously. A regression-based equation was developed to describe the relationship of the inhibitory ability of ILs and their hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding ability.

Evaluation of the toxicity of ionic liquids on trypsin: A mechanism study

The toxicity of ionic liquids (ILs) was evaluated by using trypsin as biomarker. Experimental results indicated that the trypsin activity was inhibited by ILs and the degree of inhibition highly depended on the chemical structures of ILs. Primary analysis illustrated that hydrophobicity of ILs was one of the driven forces ruling the ILs-trypsin interaction. Thermodynamic parameters, Gibbs free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) were obtained by analyzing the fluorescence behavior of trypsin in the presence of ILs. Both negative ΔH and ΔS suggested hydrogen bonding was the major driven force underlying the IL-trypsin interaction. To assess the toxicity of ILs, it should be considered the combination of the hydrogen bonding ability and hydrophobicity of ILs. A regression based model was established to correlate the relationship of the inhibitory ability, hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding ability of ILs.