A Review of Solvate Ionic Liquids: Physical Parameters and Synthetic Applications

Scattering approaches to unravel protein solution behaviors in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents: From basic principles to recent developments

Proteins in ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in various fields, including biocatalysis, bioseparation, biomolecular delivery, and structural biology. Scattering approaches including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) have been used to understand the solution behavior of proteins at the nanoscale and microscale. This review provides a thorough exploration of the application of these scattering techniques to elucidate protein properties in ILs and DESs. Specifically, the review begins with the theoretical foundations of the relevant scattering approaches and describes the essential solvent properties of ILs and DESs linked to scattering such as refractive index, scattering length density, ion-pairs, liquid nanostructure, solvent aggregation, and specific ion effects. Next, a detailed introduction is provided on protein properties such as type, concentration, size, flexibility and structure as observed through scattering methodologies. This is followed by a review of the literature on the use of scattering for proteins in ILs and DESs. It is highlighted that enhanced data analysis and modeling tools are necessary for assessing protein flexibility and structure, and for understanding protein hydration, aggregation and specific ion effects. It is also noted that complementary approaches are recommended for comprehensively understanding the behavior of proteins in solution due to the complex interplay of factors, including ion-binding, dynamic hydration, intermolecular interactions, and specific ion effects. Finally, the challenges and potential research directions for this field are proposed, including experimental design, data analysis approaches, and supporting methods to obtain fundamental understandings of complex protein behavior and protein systems in solution. We envisage that this review will support further studies of protein interface science, and in particular studies on solvent and ion effects on proteins.

Optimizing Gluten Extraction Using Eco-friendly Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids: Exploring the Impact of Cation Side Chains and Anions

Gluten is a well-known food allergen globally, and it can induce immune responses in celiac- and nonceliac gluten-sensitive patients. The gliadin proteins from gluten have a special amino acid sequence that make it hydrophobic. One way to deal with gluten allergies is to provide a gluten-free diet. The hydrophobic characteristic of gliadin makes gliadin detection more difficult. An analyst needs to use an organic solvent or multiple processes to denature gluten for extraction. Although organic solvents can rapidly extract gluten in a sample, organic solvent also denatures the antibody and induces false biotest results without buffer dilute, and the accuracy will reduce with buffer dilute. An ionic liquid (IL) is a highly modifiable green chemical organic salt. The imidazolium has a cationic structure and is modified with different lengths (C = 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12) of carbon side chains with organic and inorganic anions [methanesulfonate (MSO), Cl-, F-, NO3-, HSO4-, and H2PO4-] to make different kinds of ILs for testing the solubility of gliadin. Different IL/water ratios were used to test the solubility of gluten. We measured the solubility of gliadin in different imidazolium ILs, and the kinetic curve of gliadin dissolved in 1% [C5DMIM][MSO]aq was conducted. We also used circular dichroism spectroscopy and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the gliadin structure and the effect of binding with an antibody after 1% [C5DMIM][MSO]aq treatment. An 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4- nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay was used to test the toxicity of [C5DMIM][MSO]aq in N2a cells. In our research, 1% [C5DMIM][MSO]aq produced a good solubility of gluten, and it could dissolve more than 3000 ppm of gluten in 5 min. [C5DMIM][MSO]aq did not break down the gluten structure and did not restrict antibody binding to gluten, and more importantly, [C5DMIM][MSO] did not exhibit cell toxicity. In this report, we showed that [C5DMIM][MSO] could be a good extraction solution applied for gluten detection.

Unexpected Energy Applications of Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids and their various analogues are without doubt the scientific sensation of the last few decades, paving the way to a more sustainable society. Their versatile suite of properties, originating from an almost inconceivably large number of possible cation and anion combinations, allows tuning of the structure to serve a desired purpose. Ionic liquids hence offer a myriad of useful applications from solvents to catalysts, through to lubricants, gas absorbers, and azeotrope breakers. The purpose of this review is to explore the more unexpected of these applications, particularly in the energy space. It guides the reader through the application of ionic liquids and their analogues as i) phase change materials for thermal energy storage, ii) organic ionic plastic crystals, which have been studied as battery electrolytes and in gas separation, iii) key components in the nitrogen reduction reaction for sustainable ammonia generation, iv) as electrolytes in aluminum-ion batteries, and v) in other emerging technologies. It is concluded that there is tremendous scope for further optimizing and tuning of the ionic liquid in its task, subject to sustainability imperatives in line with current global priorities, assisted by artificial intelligence.

Bioinspired Synaptic Branched Network within Quasi-Solid Polymer Electrolyte for High-Performance Microsupercapacitors

The branched network-driven ion solvating quasi-solid polymer electrolytes (QSPEs) are prepared via one-step photochemical reaction. A poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) is combined with an ion-conducting solvate ionic liquid (SIL), where tetraglyme (TEGDME), which acts like interneuron in the human brain and creates branching network points, is mixed with EMIM-NTf2 and Li-NTf2 . The QSPE exhibits a unique gyrified morphology, inspired by the cortical surface of human brain, and features well-refined nano-scale ion channels. This human-mimicking method offers excellent ion transport capabilities through a synaptic branched network with high ionic conductivity (σDC ≈ 1.8 mS cm-1 at 298 K), high dielectric constant (εs ≈ 125 at 298 K), and strong ion solvation ability, in addition to superior mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, the interdigitated microsupercapacitors (MSCs) based on the QSPE present excellent electrochemical performance of high energy (E  =  5.37 µWh cm-2 ) and power density (P  =  2.2 mW cm-2 ), long-term cycle stability (≈94% retention after 48 000 cycles), and mechanical stability (>94% retention after continuous bending and compressing deformation). Moreover, these MSC devices have flame-retarding properties and operate effectively in air and water across a wide temperature range (275 to 370 K), offering a promising foundation for high-performance, stable next-generation all-solid-state energy storage devices.

Accelerated lithium-ion diffusion via a ligand 'hopping' mechanism in lithium enriched solvate ionic liquids

Solvate ionic liquids (SILs), equimolar amounts of lithium salts and polyether glymes, are well studied highly customisable "designer solvents". Herein the physical, thermal and ion mobility properties of SILs with increased LiTFSI (LiTFSA) concentration, with ligand 1 : >1 LiTFSI stoichiometric ratios, are presented. It was found that between 60-80 °C, the lithium cation diffuses up to 4 times faster than the corresponding anion or ligand (glyme). These systems varied from viscous liquids to self-supporting gels, though were found to thin exponentially when heated to mild temperatures (50-60 °C). They were also found to be thermally stable, up to 200 °C, well in excess of normal operating temperatures. Ion mobility, assessed under an electric potential via ionic conductivity, showed the benefit of SIL optimisation for attaining greater concentrations of Li+ cations to store charge during supercapacitor charging and discharging. Molecular dynamics simulations interrogate the mechanism of enhanced diffusion at high temperatures, revealing a lithium hopping mechanism that implicates the glyme in bridging two lithiums through changes in the denticity.

Ionic conduction mechanism in high concentration lithium ion electrolytes

The conduction mechanism of a family of high concentration lithium electrolytes (HCEs) is investigated. It is found in all HCEs that the molecular motions are regulated by the anion size and correlated to the HCE ionic resistivity. From the results, a mechanism involving highly correlated ionic networks is derived.

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.

Theoretical Investigation of the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Alkaline and Alkaline Earth Metal Perchlorate Solutions in Sulfolane

To assess the possibility of using solutions of perchlorates of alkali and alkaline earth metals in sulfolane as electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage devices with metal negative electrodes, the physicochemical properties of 0.5 M solutions of Me(ClO₄)_n (Me = Li, Na, K, Mg, and Ca) in sulfolane were simulated by the method of molecular dynamics. The density, viscosity, conductivity, self-diffusion coefficients, and transport numbers are calculated. Satisfactory agreement between the calculated and experimentally measured properties of 0.5 M solutions of LiClO₄ and NaClO₄ in sulfolane suggests that the calculated values of the physicochemical properties of solutions of K, Mg, and Ca perchlorates are also close to real values. The study of the structure of solvate complexes of salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals with sulfolane by quantum chemical and molecular dynamics modeling showed that the first solvate shell of metal cations consists of sulfolane molecules. Regardless of the nature of the cation, sulfolane is coordinated to the metal cation by only one oxygen atom. Based on the analysis of the calculated values of the physicochemical properties of solutions of metal perchlorates in sulfolane, it can be concluded that they can be used as electrolyte systems of electrochemical energy storage devices with negative electrodes made of alkali and alkaline earth metals.

Surface Properties of Ionic Liquids: A Mass Spectrometric View Based on Soft Cluster-Induced Desorption

Desorption/ionization induced by neutral clusters (DINeC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) was used for the investigation of the molecular composition of the surface of ionic liquids (IL). Based on the surface sensitivity of DINeC-MS, accumulation of either cations or anions was discriminated on the surface of bulk IL depending on the molecular structure of the IL components. In particular, cations with long alkyl chains aggregate on the surface, but this tendency is more reduced the larger the respective anion is; in the case of larger anions and smaller cations, it can be even reversed. For thin layers of IL, the ratio between cations and anions as detected in the mass spectra was found to be further influenced by the substrate surface.

Thermal Properties and Solvent Polarities of Mixed-Valence Ionic Liquids Containing Cationic Biferrocenylene Derivatives

Ionic liquids (ILs) containing cationic mixed-valence biferrocenylene derivatives were synthesized with an octanoyl or octyl substituent in each cation. Their melting points ranged between 25 and 39 °C, and the octanoyl derivatives exhibited higher melting points than the octyl derivatives. In addition, each IL exhibited a glass transition in the temperature ranging from -66 to -45 °C after melting. Their melting points were ∼10 °C higher than those of mononuclear octamethylferrocenium salts bearing the same substituents. The solvent polarity (E_T^N) and Kamlet-Taft parameters (π*, α, and β) of these dinuclear and mononuclear ILs were then examined. The dinuclear ILs bearing octanoyl substituents exhibited significant increases in E_T^N and π* and a decrease in α with the decreasing temperature, whereas the other ILs exhibited a significantly less pronounced temperature dependence. Finally, the intervalence charge-transfer (or charge-resonance) bands of the octanoyl dinuclear ILs exhibited red shifts with the decreasing temperature, which can be regarded as self-thermosolvatochromism.

The Effect of Fluorinated Solvents on Physicochemical Properties, Ionic Association, and Free Volume of a Prototypical Solvate Ionic Liquid

Solvate ionic liquid synthesis and properties depend on a delicate balancing of cation-solvent and cation-anion interactions to produce materials containing only cation-solvent complexes and solvent-separated anions. Most SILs meeting these characteristics fall within the paradigm of oligomeric ethylene oxides and lithium salts. Targeted functionalization of solvent molecules to achieve desired properties is a relatively unexplored avenue of research. We explore solvent fluorination for a prototypical SIL based on lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiNTf2) and triethylene glycol (TEG). In the first experiment, TEG is partially substituted with 2,2,4,4,5,5,7,7-octafluoro-3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diol (FTEG). This leads to a decrease in ionic conductivity and proliferation of Li(NTf2)2- species. Both results suggest FTEG does not readily coordinate Li+ ; a conclusion that is reinforced by computational studies of [(TEG)1Li]+ and [(FTEG)1Li]+ cation stabilities. A second experiment adds FTEG as a diluent to [(TEG)1Li]NTf2. This places FTEG and TEG in competition to coordinate a limited number of Li+ ions. The resulting mixtures exhibit conductivity and viscosity enhancements over the parent SIL and minimal changes in ion speciation due to the poor Li+ binding by FTEG. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopic studies point to increased amounts of free volume upon dilution of FTEG. This likely explains the origin of the conductivity enhancement.

Modeling of transport properties of binary mixtures including ionic liquids based on their experimental estimation

Transport properties of selected imidazolium ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [emim][ac], and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [bmim][triflate]) as well as of binary mixtures of these ILs with water and ethanol were estimated experimentally. Density data were obtained within the temperature range of 293.15—333.15 K and used for the excess molar volume calculations. For the binary mixtures comprising selected ionic liquids and water/ethanol, partial molar volumes of mixture components were computed and the excess molar volume variation with the mixture composition was correlated using the Redlich-Kister equation. Dependence of viscosity on the binary mixture composition and temperature was described using the Jouyban-Acree model. These data form a base for the assessment of OPEX connected with transportation of mixtures containing these ionic liquids.

Efficient Parametrization of Force Field for the Quantitative Prediction of the Physical Properties of Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

The prediction of transport properties of room-temperature ionic liquids from nonpolarizable force field-based simulations has long been a challenge. The uniform charge scaling method has been widely used to improve the agreement with the experiment by incorporating the polarizability and charge transfer effects in an effective manner. While this method improves the performance of the force fields, this prescription is ad hoc in character; further, a quantitative prediction is still not guaranteed. In such cases, the nonbonded interaction parameters too need to be refined, which requires significant effort. In this work, we propose a three-step semiautomated refinement procedure based on (1) atomic site charges obtained from quantum calculations of the bulk condensed phase; (2) quenched Monte Carlo optimizer to shortlist suitable force field candidates, which are then tested using pilot simulations; and (3) manual refinement to further improve the accuracy of the force field. The strategy is designed in a sequential manner with each step improving the accuracy over the previous step, allowing the users to invest the effort commensurate with the desired accuracy of the refined force field. The refinement procedure is applied on N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (DEME-TFSI), a front-runner as an electrolyte for electric double-layer capacitors and single-molecule-based devices. The transferability of the refined force field is tested on N,N-dimethyl-N-ethyl-N-methoxyethoxyethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (N_112,2O2O1-TFSI). The refined force field is found to be better at predicting both structural and transport properties compared to the uniform charge scaling procedure, which showed a discrepancy in the X-ray structure factor. The refined force field showed quantitative agreement with structural (density and X-ray structure factor) and transport properties-diffusion coefficients, ionic conductivity, and shear viscosity over a wide temperature range, building a case for the wide adoption of the procedure.

Electron Microscopy Imaging Applications of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids in the Biological Field: A Review

For biological imaging using electron microscopy (EM), the use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional lengthy preparation methods. With their low vapor pressures and conductivity, RTILs can be applied onto hard-to-image soft and/or wet samples without dehydration - allowing for a more representative, hydrated state of material and opening the possibility for visualization of in situ physiological processes using conventional EM systems. However, RTILs have yet to be utilized to their full potential by microscopists and microbiologists alike. To this end, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of biological applications of RTILs for EM to bridge the RTIL, in situ microscopy, and biological communities. We outline future research avenues for the use of RTILs for the EM observation of biological samples, notably i) RTIL selection and optimization, ii) applications for live cell processes and iii) electron beam and ionic liquid interaction studies.

Structure, Molecular Interactions, and Dynamics of Aqueous [BMIM][BF4] Mixtures: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Molecular dynamics simulations with many-body polarizable force fields were carried out to investigate the thermodynamic, structural, and dynamic properties of aqueous solutions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]). The radial distribution functions exhibit well-defined features, revealing favored structural correlations between [bmim]⁺, [BF₄]^-, and H₂O. The addition of water is shown to alter ionic liquid structural organizations by replacing counterions in the coordination shells and disrupt the cation-anion network. At low water concentration, the majority of water molecules are isolated from each other and have lower average dipole moment than that in pure water. With increasing hydration level, while [bmim][BF₄] ionic network breaks up and becomes isolated ion pairs or free ions in the dilute limit, water begins to form clusters of increasing sizes and eventually forms a percolating network. As a result, the average water dipole moment increases and approaches its bulk value. Water is also observed to have a substantial influence on the dynamics of ionic liquids. At low water content, the cation and anion have similar diffusion coefficients due to the correlated ionic motion of long-lived ion pairs. As the water concentration increases, both ions exhibit greater mobility and faster rotations from the breakup of ionic network. Consequently, the ionic conductivity of [bmim][BF₄] aqueous solutions rises with increasing water composition.

Metal-Based Ionic Liquids in Oxidative Desulfurization: A Critical Review

Ionic liquids (ILs) as novel functional desulfurization materials have attracted increasing attentions. Metal-based ionic liquids (MILs) are classified into three types of metal chloride ILs, metal oxide ILs, and metal complex ILs based on the definition and basic structure of MILs in this critical review. On the basis of the properties of ILs such as structure designability, super dissolution performance, good thermal and chemical stability, nonflammability, and wide electrochemical window, MILs exhibit unique advantages on hydrophobicity, oxidation performance, and Brönsted-Lewis acidity. Therefore, MILs possess both the absorption and oxidation centers for the intramolecular adsorption and oxidation to improve the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process. During the novel nonaqueous wet oxidative desulfurization process (Nasil), H₂S can be oxidized into elemental sulfur with hydrophobic MILs, which can be regenerated by oxygen for recycle, to solve the problems of low sulfur capacity, low sulfur quality, and severe secondary pollution in the aqueous Lo-Cat wet oxidative desulfurization process. Another outstanding feature of MILs in ODS is biomimetic catalysis, which has the function of activating molecular oxygen and improving the oxidation performance. Metal oxide ILs and metal complex ILs are used in combination with hydrogen peroxide or oxygen with the existing water to generate a Fenton-like reaction to convert hydrophobic organic sulfur or SO₂ into hydrophilic sulfoxide/sulfone or sulfur acid, respectively. However, the corrosion of Cl^- to the equipment and emulsification phenomenon in the extraction process of sulfoxide/sulfone separation still need further study. Furthermore, the promising strategies to construct highly efficient and green desulfurization processes for large-scale applications are provided.

Heterogeneous Catalysis with the Participation of Ionic Liquids

This mini-review briefly describes the recent progress in the design and development of catalysts based on the presence of ionic liquids. In particular, the focus was on heterogeneous systems (supported ionic liquid (IL) phase catalysts (SILPC), solid catalysts with ILs (SCILL), porous liquids), which due to the low amounts of ionic liquids needed for their production, eliminate basic problems observed in the case of the employment of ionic liquids in homogeneous systems, such as high price, high viscosity, and efficient isolation from post-reaction mixtures.

Computational Study of the Properties of Acetonitrile/Water-in-Salt Hybrid Electrolytes as Electrolytes for Supercapacitors

Normal and water-in-salt Li-bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide anion-based electrolytes were modeled using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Their acetonitrile (ACN) mixtures, in various concentrations, were also studied to evaluate the impact of a cosolvent on the structural, dynamical, and electrical properties of the electrolytes using liquid electrolyte and supercapacitor models. Our simulations for pure and ACN-based electrolytes revealed a drastic difference that exists between normal electrolytes and water-in-salt electrolytes and a systematic reduction of the diffusion of species by approximately a factor of 2 because of the ACN impact. Electrolytic cells for each electrolyte were built with graphene as the electrode. Our results for capacitance reveal an asymmetry between the electrode capacitances, with negative electrode capacitance systematically higher than those of the positive electrode. The total capacitance of the electrode exhibited negligible variations regardless of the concentration and composition of the electrolyte.

Ca2+-Based Dual-Carbon Batteries in Ternary Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

Herein, we propose Ca²⁺-based dual-carbon batteries (DCBs) that undergo a simultaneous occurrence of reversible accommodations of Ca²⁺ in a graphite anode (mesocarbon microbeads) and of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI^-) in a graphite cathode (KS6L). For this purpose, we precisely tune electrolytes composed of Ca²⁺ complexed with a single tetraglyme molecule ([Ca:G₄]) in N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium TFSI (Pyr₁₄TFSI) ionic liquid (IL). This ternary electrolyte is required for the enhancement of anodic stability that is needed to accomplish maximal TFSI^- intercalation into KS6L at a high potential. A solution of 0.5 M [Ca:G₄] in IL ([Ca:G₄]/IL) is found to be optimal for DCBs. First, the electrochemical properties and the structural evolution of each graphite in a half-cell configuration are described to demonstrate excellent electrochemical performance. Second, the negligible intercalation of Pyr₁₄⁺ into an MCMB anode is ascertained in 0.5 M [Ca:G₄]/IL. Finally, DCBs are constructed by coupling two electrodes to show high capacity (54.0 mA h g^-1 at 200 mA g^-1) and reasonable cyclability (capacity fading of 0.022 mA h g^-1 cycle^-1 at 200 mA g^-1 during 300 charge/discharge cycles). This work is the first to examine DCBs based on Ca²⁺ intercalation and helps pave the way for the development of a new type of next-generation batteries.

Chelation-Induced Reversal of Negative Cation Transference Number in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

Strong anion-cation interaction in lithium-salt/ionic liquid electrolytes leads to ionic association that decreases the Li transference number, even causing it to be negative. We show that these interactions can be greatly reduced by adding cyclic ethylene oxide molecules, and we quantitatively examine the effect using rigorous multispecies concentrated solution theory coupled with molecular dynamics simulations. The added molecules, primarily lithium ionophore V also known as 12-crown-4, have high affinity to lithium, therefore disrupting the lithium cation-anion coupling, resulting in a significantly improved transference number. First, we investigate the lithium-anion spatial correlation by studying their clusters and show that the 12-crown-4 ether allows the formation of previously nonexisting positively charged lithium-containing complexes. We then prove that the chelators actively compete with the anion to coordinate lithium ions by showing that the persistence-over-time of a given anion coordination cage decreases when ionophore molecules are added to the system. Last, we report an increase in the lithium transference number for a variety of chemistries as a function of added 12-crown-4 (and another ionophore, 18-crown-6) molecules, and even positive values can be reached. Our results provide a foundation for new design and optimization strategies to reverse the sign of and increase the transference number in highly correlated concentrated electrolytes.

Redox-active glyme-Li tetrahalogenoferrate(iii) solvate ionic liquids for semi-liquid lithium secondary batteries

Solvate ionic liquids (SILs), comprising long-lived, Li solvate cations and counter anions, serve as highly Li-ion-conductive and non-flammable electrolytes for use in lithium secondary batteries. In this work, we synthesized a series of novel redox-active glyme(oligoether)–Li salt-based SILs, consisting of a symmetric ([Li(G3)]⁺) or asymmetric ([Li(G3Bu)]⁺) triglyme–Li salt complex and redox-active tetrahalogenoferrate ([FeX]⁻ (X = Br₄, Cl₃Br, Cl₄)), for use as the catholyte in semi-liquid lithium secondary batteries. The successful formation of stable molten complexes of [Li(G3/G3Bu)][FeX] was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The melting point (T_m) depended on both the molecular weights of the complex anions and the structures of the complex cations. [Li(G3)][FeCl₄] comprised complex cations with a symmetric structure, and the smallest complex anions showed the lowest T_m of 28.2 °C. The redox properties of the [FeX]⁻/[FeX]²⁻ couple strongly suggested the suitability of [Li(G3/G3Bu)][FeX] as a catholyte. The discharge capacities of semi-liquid lithium secondary batteries utilizing the [Li(G3/G3Bu)][FeX] catholyte depended on the structure of the SILs, and the cell with [Li(G3)][FeCl₄] showed the highest capacity with relatively good capacity retention. This study confirmed the feasibility of the glyme-based redox-active SILs as catholytes for scalable redox-flow type batteries.

Solvate ionic liquids (SILs), comprising long-lived, Li solvate cations and counter anions, serve as highly Li-ion-conductive and non-flammable electrolytes for use in lithium secondary batteries.

Local dynamics in LiCl-CsCl-D2O water-in-salt solutions according to NMR relaxation

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the local structure and dynamics in 'water-in-salt' solutions, namely the ternary concentrated LiCl-CsCl-D2O electrolytes. Water based electrolyte solutions are components of natural waters, they are very widespread and possess many practical abilities. NMR was applied as the main technique to study the local structure of the solutions as well as ion and solvent dynamics. The characteristic reorientation times (τc) were calculated from spin-lattice relaxation times for 2H, 7Li, and 133Cs nuclei. The diffusion coefficients (D) for 1H, 7Li, and 133Cs nuclei were also obtained. We have confirmed that most of the molecules and ions are combined into dynamic clusters, 'cybotactic groups', with lifetimes long enough for them to diffuse as a whole unit. Thus, the results provide direct experimental confirmation of the existence of 'cybotactic groups' predicted earlier for concentrated electrolyte solutions. The precise self-diffusion coefficients show the state of ions in the system and can be used as a reference for modelling of such systems.

Remarkable Effect of [Li(G4)]TFSI Solvate Ionic Liquid (SIL) on the Regio- and Stereoselective Ring Opening of α-Gluco Carbasugar 1,2-Epoxides

Carba analogues of biologically relevant natural carbohydrates are promising structures for the development of future drugs endowed with enhanced hydrolytic stability. An open synthetic challenge in this field is the optimization of new methodologies for the stereo- and regioselective opening of α-gluco carbasugar 1,2-epoxides that allow for the preparation of pseudo mono- and disaccharides of great interest. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Lewis acids and solvate ionic liquids (SILs) on the epoxide ring opening of a model substrate. Of particular interest was the complete stereo- and regioselectivity, albeit limited to simple nucleophiles, toward the desired C(1) isomer that was observed using LiClO4. The results obtained with SILs were also remarkable. In particular, Li[NTf2]/tetraglyme ([Li(G4)]TFSI) was able to function as a Lewis acid and to direct the attack of the nucleophile preferentially at the pseudo anomeric position, even with a more complex and synthetically interesting nucleophile. The regioselectivity observed for LiClO4 and [Li(G4)]TFSI was tentatively ascribed to the formation of a bidentate chelating system, which changed the conformational equilibrium and ultimately permitted a trans-diaxial attack on C(1). To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first case in which SILs were successfully employed in a ring-opening process of epoxides.

Tuning anion solvation energetics enhances potassium-oxygen battery performance

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a critical reaction in secondary batteries based on alkali metal chemistries. The nonaqueous electrolyte mediates ion and oxygen transport and determines the heterogeneous charge transfer rates by controlling the nature and degree of solvation. This study shows that the solvent reorganization energy (λ) correlates well with the oxygen diffusion coefficient [Formula: see text] and with the ORR rate constant [Formula: see text] in nonaqueous Li-, Na-, and K-O₂ cells, thereby elucidating the impact of variations in the solvation shell on the ORR. Increasing cation size (from Li⁺ to K⁺) doubled [Formula: see text], indicating an increased sensitivity of k to the choice of anion, while variations in [Formula: see text]were minimal over this cation size range. At the level of a symmetric K-O₂ cell, both the formation of solvent-separated ion pairs [K⁺-(DMSO)_n-ClO₄ ^- + (DMSO)_m-ClO₄ ^-] and the anions being unsolvated (in case of PF₆ ^-) lowered ORR activation barriers with a 200-mV lower overpotential for the PF₆ ^- and ClO₄ ^- electrolytes compared with OTf^- and TFSI^- electrolytes with partial anion solvation [predominantly K⁺-(DMSO)_n-OTf^-]. Balancing transport and kinetic requirements, KPF₆ in DMSO is identified as a promising electrolyte for K-O₂ batteries.