Phenoxy herbicidal ammonium ionic liquids

Ammonium ionic liquids with the 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetate anion were synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical properties, such as thermal stability, phase transition temperatures, viscosity, density, refractive index, as well as surface activity and herbicidal activity were determined. Improved physicochemical properties suggest a reduced environmental impact of newly formed group of herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs). HILs with a longer substituent can be characterized with better herbicidal activity in comparison with commercial products.     

2,4-D based herbicidal ionic liquids

Herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs) with a 2,4-D anion were synthesized and characterized. These salts have chemical and thermal stability. HILs exhibited higher biological activity than currently used salts of 2,4-D. HILs are nonvolatile and showed substantially lower water solubility than starting herbicides.     

Betaine and Carnitine Derivatives as Herbicidal Ionic Liquids

This study focused on the synthesis and subsequent characterization of herbicidal ionic liquids based on betaine and carnitine, two derivatives of amino acids, which were used as cations. Four commonly used herbicides (2,4‐D, MCPA, MCPP and Dicamba) were used as anions in simple (single anion) and oligomeric (two anions) salts. The obtained salts were subjected to analyzes regarding physicochemical properties (density, viscosity, refractive index, thermal decomposition profiles and solubility) as well as evaluation of their herbicidal activity under greenhouse and field conditions, toxicity towards rats and biodegradability. The obtained results suggest that the synthesized herbicidal ionic liquids displayed low toxicity (classified as category 4 compounds) and showed similar or improved efficacy against weed compared to reference herbicides. The highest increase was observed during field trials for salts containing 2,4‐D as the anion, which also exhibited the highest biodegradability (>75 %).     

Ionic Fluids Containing Both Strongly and Weakly Interacting Ions of the Same Charge Have Unique Ionic and Chemical Environments as a Function of Ion Concentration

Liquid multi‐ion systems made by combining two or more salts can exhibit charge ordering and interactions not found in the parent salts, leading to new sets of properties. This is investigated herein by examining a liquid comprised of a single cation, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ([C₂mim]⁺), and two anions with different properties, acetate ([OAc]^?) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]^?). NMR and IR spectroscopy indicate that the electrostatic interactions are quite different from those in either [C₂mim][OAc] or [C₂mim][NTf₂]. This is attributed to the ability of [OAc]^? to form complexes with the [C₂mim]⁺ ions at greater than 1:1 stoichiometries by drawing [C₂mim]⁺ ions away from the less basic [NTf₂]^? ions. Solubility studies with molecular solvents (ethyl acetate, water) and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, diphenhydramine) show nonlinear trends as a function of ion content, which suggests that solubility can be tuned through changes in the ionic compositions.     

Activity and stability of α-chymotrypsin in biocompatible ionic liquids: enzyme refolding by triethyl ammonium acetate

In view the of wide scope of structural information of biomolecules in biocompatible ionic liquids (ILs) in various applications including chemical and biochemical, it is essential to study the productive preferential interactions between biological macromolecules and biocompatible ILs. We have therefore explored the stability and activity of α-chymotrypsin (CT) in the presence of five ILs from different families, such as triethyl ammonium acetate (TEAA), triethyl ammonium phosphate (TEAP) from ammonium salts, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bzmim][Cl]), 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bzmim][BF(4)]) from imidazolium salts and tetra-butyl phosphonium bromide (TBPBr) from phosphonium families. Circular dichroism (CD) and UV-vis spectrophotometer experiments were used to study CT stabilization by ILs, related to the associated structural changes and enzyme activity studies, respectively. We observed that all ILs have a dominant contribution to the stabilization of CT. The stability and activity of CT depends on the structural arrangement of the ions of ILs. Our experimental results explicitly elucidate that more hydrophobic imidazolium and phosphonium cations carrying longer alkyl chains of ILs ([Bzmim][Cl], [Bzmim][BF(4)] and TBPBr) were weak stabilizers for CT, while small alkyl chain molecules of triethyl ammonium salts (TEAA and TEAP) are strong stabilizers and therefore more biocompatible for CT stability. Our CD and NMR measurements reveal that TEAA is a refolding additive for CT from a quenched thermal unfolded enzyme structure.     

The effect of C2 substitution on melting point and liquid phase dynamics of imidazolium based-ionic liquids: insights from molecular dynamics simulations

Using molecular dynamics simulations, the melting points and liquid phase dynamic properties were studied for four alkyl-imidazolium-based ionic liquids, 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]), 1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMMIM][PF6]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([EMIM][PF6]), and 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([EMMIM][PF6]), respectively. Experimentally it has been observed that the substitution of a methyl group for a hydrogen at the C2 position of the cation ring leads to an increase in both the melting point and liquid phase viscosity, contrary to arguments that had been made regarding associations between the ions. The melting points of the four ionic liquids were accurately predicted using simulations, as were the trends in viscosity. The simulation results show that the origin of the effect is mainly entropic, although enthalpy also plays an important role.     

N-butylpyridinium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids as solvents for the liquid-liquid extraction of aromatics from their mixtures with alkanes: Isomeric effect of the cation

The liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) of four ternary systems comprising toluene, heptane, and an ionic liquid with the cation N-butylpyridinium ([bpy]), or 2-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([2bmpy]), or 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([3bmpy]), or 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium ([4bmpy]), and the anion bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]) were determined at 313.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The distribution ratios and the separation factor curves from the LLE data were plotted and compared to those for sulfolane. The results show no significant differences in the values of these parameters between [bpy][Tf₂N] and [2bmpy][Tf₂N], and between [3bmpy][Tf₂N] and [4bmpy][Tf₂N]. The experimental LLE data were satisfactorily correlated by means of the thermodynamic NRTL model.     

Solvation of carbohydrates in n,n'-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids: a multinuclear NMR spectroscopy study

The solvation of carbohydrates in N, N'-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated by means of 13C and 35/37Cl NMR relaxation and 1H pulsed field gradient stimulated echo (PFG-STE) diffusion measurements. Solutions of model sugars in 1- n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([CC2mim]Cl), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) were studied to evaluate the effects of cation and anion structure on the solvation mechanism. In all cases, the changes in the relaxation times of carbon nuclei of the IL cations as a function of carbohydrate concentration are small and consistent with the variation in solution viscosities. Conversely, the 35/37Cl and 13C relaxation rates of chloride ions and acetate ion carbons, respectively, have a strong dependency on sugar content. For [C2mim][OAc], the correlation times estimated from 13C relaxation data for both ions reveal that, as the carbohydrate concentration increases, the reorientation rate of the anion decreases faster than that of the cation. Although not as marked as the variations observed in the relaxation data, similar trends were obtained from the analysis of cation and, in the case of [C2mim][OAc], anion self-diffusion coefficients of the sugar/IL systems. Our results show that the interactions between the IL cation and the solutes are nonspecific, confirm that the process is governed by the interactions between the IL anion and the carbohydrate, and, more importantly, indicate no change in the solvation mechanism regardless of the structure of the anion.     

Effect of simple electrolytes on the thermodynamic properties of room temperature ionic liquids in aqueous solutions

Density, sound velocity and conductivity measurements are carried out on 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₇mim][Br]) in pure water and in aqueous solutions of sodium di-hydrogen citrate, di-sodium hydrogen citrate and tri-sodium citrate over a range of temperatures at atmospheric pressure. The experimental density and sound velocity data are used to calculate the apparent molar volume and isentropic compressibility as a function of temperature and concentration. The effects of temperature and charge on the anion of sodium citrate salts on the apparent molar volume and isentropic compressibility of [C₇mim][Br] are studied. It was found that both of the apparent molar volume and isentropic compressibility of [C₇mim][Br] in aqueous sodium citrate solutions are larger than those in pure water and increase by increasing temperature. The effects of temperature and charge on the anion of sodium citrate salts on the conductivity behavior of the investigated IL solutions are also studied.     

Solubility of CO2 in imidazolium-based tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids

The solubility of CO₂ in imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([hmim][BF₄]) and 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrtafluoroborate ([omim][BF₄]) was determined at 305-25 K and pressures from 1 to 9 MPa. The influence of chain length of alkyl substituents on the imidazolium cation on the solubility of CO₂ was investigated. The differences in solubility with chain length are in the sequence [omim][BF₄] > [hmim][BF₄] > [bmim][BF₄]. The solubility data were correlated by the extended Henry's law, and enthalpy, Gibbs free energy and entropy changes were obtained.     

Low-temperature heat capacities of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ionic liquids and the influence of anion structural characteristics on thermodynamic properties

Two chelated orthoborate ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ([Bmim][BOB]) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ([Hmim][BOB]), were prepared and characterized. Their thermodynamic properties were studied using adiabatic calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermodynamic properties of the two ILs were evaluated and compared with each other, and then with those of other [Bmim] type ILs. The results clearly indicate that for a given cation (or anion) and at a certain temperature, the more atoms in the anion (or cation), the higher the heat capacity; the higher glass-transition temperatures of [BOB] type ILs than others are mainly caused by the higher symmetry of the orthoborate anion structure. It is suggested that a high content of strong electronegative atoms and C(n) or C(nv) (n = 1,2,3,…,∞) point group symmetry in the anion are favorable for the design and synthesis of room temperature ILs with a wide liquid range.     

Ionic liquid-induced unprecedented size enhancement of aggregates within aqueous sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate

Physicochemical properties of aqueous micellar solutions may change in the presence of ionic liquids (ILs). Micelles help to increase the aqueous solubility of ILs. The average size of the micellar aggregates within aqueous sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) is observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to increase in a sudden and drastic fashion as the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF(6)]) is added. Similar addition of [bmim][PF(6)] to aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) results in only a slow gradual increase in average aggregate size. While addition of the IL [bmim][BF(4)] also gives rise to sudden aggregate size enhancement within aqueous SDBS, the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF(4)]), and inorganic salts NaPF(6) and NaBF(4), only gradually increase the assembly size upon their addition. Bulk dynamic viscosity, microviscosity, dipolarity (indicated by the fluorescent reporter pyrene), zeta potential, and electrical conductance measurements were taken to gain insight into this unusual size enhancement. It is proposed that bmim(+) cations of the IL undergo Coulombic attractive interactions with anionic headgroups at the micellar surface at all [bmim][PF(6)] concentrations in aqueous SDS; in aqueous SDBS, beyond a critical IL concentration, bmim(+) becomes involved in cation-π interaction with the phenyl moiety of SDBS within micellar aggregates with the butyl group aligned along the alkyl chain of the surfactant. This relocation of bmim(+) results in an unprecedented size increase in micellar aggregates. Aromaticity of the IL cation alongside the presence of sufficiently aliphatic (butyl or longer) alkyl chains on the IL appear to be essential for this dramatic critical expansion in self-assembly dimensions within aqueous SDBS.     

Comparison of dansylated aminopropyl controlled pore glass solvated by molecular and ionic liquids

We compare how (i) four ionic liquids (ILs) (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C4mim][BF4]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][Tf2N]), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mpy][Tf2N]), and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([P(C6)3C14][Tf2N])) and (ii) two conventional molecular liquids (methanol and 1-octanol) solvate/wet luminescent organic moieties that are covalently attached to the surface of silica controlled pore glass (CPG). A series of aminopropyl CPG particles that have been covalently tagged with the solvatochromic fluorescent probe group dansyl were used in this study. The results demonstrate that ILs solvate/wet the silica surface differently in comparison to molecular liquids (MLs). Specifically, when comparing ILs and MLs that appear to solvate the free probe, dansylpropylsulfonamide (DPSA), equally in solution, we find that ILs do not solvate/wet the silica surfaces as well as the corresponding MLs. The cation component in these ILs is the significant factor in how the ILs solvate/wet silica surfaces. Solvation/wetting of surface-bound species at a silica surface depends on the cation size. Chlorosilane end-capping of the surface silanol and amine residues attenuates the cation's affects.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium for the ternary systems {heptane + toluene + 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide} and {heptane + toluene + 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide} ionic liquids

The (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data for two systems containing heptane, toluene, and 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([mpim][Tf₂N]) or 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([amim][Tf₂N]) ionic liquids (ILs) were determined at T = 313.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The effect of a double bond in an alkyl side chain in the imidazolium cation was evaluated in terms of selectivity and extractive capacity. The results show a decrease of the amount of toluene and heptane dissolved in the IL with the allyl group. Thus, the distribution ratios of toluene and heptane of [mpim][Tf₂N] IL are higher than those of [amim][Tf₂N] IL. On the other hand, the separation factor of the [amim][Tf₂N] IL increases comparing to [mpim][Tf₂N] IL. The NRTL model was used to correlate satisfactorily the experimental LLE data for the two studied ternary systems.     

Raman and ab initio studies of simple and binary 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids

Raman spectra of the ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4mim][PF6]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C6mim]Cl), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C6mim][PF6]), and binary mixtures thereof, have been assigned using ab initio MP2 calculations. The previously reported anti and gauche forms of the [C4mim]+ cation have been observed, and this study reveals this to be a general feature of the long-chain 1-alkyl derivatives. Analysis of mixtures of [C6mim]Cl and [C6mim][PF6] has provided information on the nature of the hydrogen bonding between the imidazolium headgroup and the anions, and the invariance of the essentially 50:50 mixture of the predominant conformers informs on the nature of glass formation in these systems.     

Catalytic conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in high yields via a two-step process

As a key renewable chemical for plastics and fine chemicals, the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from biomass is an important research topic. Cellulose, although abundant in nature, is difficult to convert to 5-HMF in good yields due to its recalcitrant and heterogeneous nature. In this work, we show an efficient two-step process for converting microcrystalline cellulose into 5-HMF with ionic liquids under mild conditions. In the first step, high glucose yields of above 80% could be obtained from the cellulose hydrolysis by a strong acidic cation exchange resin in 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([EMIM][Cl]) with gradual addition of water. In the second step, the resin was separated from the reaction mixture and CrCl₃ was added which lead to a 5-HMF yield of 73% based on cellulose substrate. The strategy can allow practical conversion of biomass into bio-derived products.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds by functionalized ionic liquids-stabilized nickel nanoparticles in aqueous phase: The influence of anions

Two kinds of nickel nanoparticles (NPs) well-dispersed in aqueous phase have been conveniently prepared by reducing nickel(II) salt with hydrazine in the presence of amino group (?NH₂) functionalized ionic liquids: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bromide ([AMMIM][Br]) and 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate ([AMMIM][AcO]). The Ni(0) particles are composed of smaller ones which assemble in a blackberry-like shape. The Ni nanoparticles stabilized with [AMMIM][AcO] are much larger than those stabilized with [AMMIM][Br], and the former unexpectedly give much higher activity in the selective hydrogenation of citral and nitrobenzene (NB) in aqueous phase. The Ni(0) nanocatalysts dispersed in aqueous phase are stable enough to be reused at least five times without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity during the catalytic recycles.     

Separation of benzene and hexane by solvent extraction with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}amide ionic liquids: effect of the alkyl-substituent length

The influence of the alkyl-substituent chain in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}amide ionic liquids ([C(n)mim][NTf(2)], where n is the length of a linear alkyl chain) as solvents for the separation of benzene and hexane by liquid extraction was investigated. The liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) at 25 degrees C for the ternary systems ([C(n)mim][NTf(2)] + hexane + benzene), with n taking the values 4, 8, 10, and 12, were determined. These data were analyzed and compared to those previously reported for the system ([C(2)mim][NTf(2)] + hexane + benzene). The results show that short alkyl chains on the imidazolium cation of the ionic liquid lead to a better extractive separation of benzene and hexane, and reveal the influence of the relative degree of ordering in the ionic liquids on the extraction parameters.     

Phase equilibria of imidazolium ionic liquids and the refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a)

A number of applications with ionic liquids (ILs) and hydrofluorocarbon gases have recently been proposed. Detailed phase equilibria and modeling are needed for their further development. In this work, vapor–liquid equilibrium, vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium, and mixture critical points of imidazolium ionic liquids with the hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) was measured at temperatures of 25 °C, 50 °C, 75 °C and pressure up to 143 bar. The ionic liquids include 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([HMIm][Tf₂N]), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIm][PF₆]), and 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([HMIm][BF₄]). The effects of the anion and cation on the solubility were investigated with the anion having greatest impact. [HMIm][Tf₂N] demonstrated the highest solubility of R-134a. The volume expansion and molar volume were also measured for the ILs and R-134a. The Peng–Robinson Equation of State with van der Waals 2-parameter mixing rule with estimated IL critical points were employed to model and correlate the experimental data. The models predict the vapor–liquid equilibrium and vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium pressure very well. However, the mixture critical points predictions are consistently lower than experimental values.     

BrΦnsted酸性离子液体掺杂聚苯胺的无溶剂制备及其表征

首先合成了两种带—SO3H官能团的Brφnsted酸离子液体([MIMPS][HSO4]和[PYPS][HSO4]),然后分别以这两种带—SO3H官能团的Brφnsted酸性离子液体做为掺杂剂,在无溶剂条件下通过机械化学聚合反应制备了掺杂导电态聚苯胺.由于带—SO3H官能团的Brφnsted酸性离子液体中H+可以单独以离子形式存在,因此可形成质子化导电态的翠绿亚胺盐,并以红外光谱、紫外可见-近红外、X-射线衍射、循环伏安和四探针技术等测试方法对聚苯胺进行了结构和性能表征.PANI-[MIMPS][HSO4]的结晶性、电导率和电化学活性要优于PANI-[PYPS][HSO4].