Ionic liquids as porogens in the microwave-assisted synthesis of methacrylate monoliths for chromatographic application

Several imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) with varying cation alkyl chain length (C₄–C₁₀) and anion type (tetrafluoroborate ([BF₄]⁻), hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]⁻)) were used as reaction media in the microwave polymerization of methacrylate-based stationary phases. Scanning electron micrographs and backpressures of poly(butyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) (poly(BMA-EDMA)) monoliths synthesized in the presence of these ionic liquids demonstrated that porosity and permeability decreased when cation alkyl chain length and anion hydrophobicity were increased. Performance of these monoliths was assessed for their ability to separate parabens by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Intra-batch precision (n = 3 columns) for retention time and peak area ranged was 0.80–1.13% and 3.71–4.58%, respectively. In addition, a good repeatability of RSD_{Retention time} = <0.30% and ∼1.0%, RSD_{Peak area} = <1.30% and <4.3%, and RSD_Efficiency = <0.6% and <11.5% for intra-day and inter-day, respectively exemplify monolith performance reliability for poly(BMA-EDMA) fabricated using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₆mim][BF₄]) porogen. This monolith was also tested for its potential in nanoLC to separate protein digests in gradient mode. ILs as porogens also fabricated different alkyl methacrylate (AMA) (C4–C18) monoliths. Furthermore, employing binary IL porogen mixture such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) successfully decreased the denseness of the monolith, than when using [C₄mim][Tf₂N] IL alone, enabling a chromatographic run to be performed with 1:1 ratio produced baseline separation for the analytes. The combination of ILs and microwave irradiation made polymer synthesis very fast (∼10 min), entirely green (organic solvent-free) and energy saving process.     

Selection of entrainers in the 1-hexene/n-hexane system with a limited solubility

Vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) have been measured for five 1-hexene/n-hexane/ionic liquid systems and 1-hexene/n-hexane/NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) system with a headspace-gas chromatography (HSGC) apparatus at 333.15 K. The ionic liquids investigated were 1,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₂MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₄MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻, 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C₈MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻, 1,3-dimethylimidazolium dicyanamide [C₂MIM]⁺[N(CN)₂]⁻ and 1-octylquinolinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide [C₈Chin]⁺[BTA]⁻. It was found that at low feeding concentration of 1-hexene and n-hexane, the separation ability of ionic liquids is in the order of [C₂MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ > [C₄MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ ≈ [C₂MIM]⁺[N(CN)₂]⁻ > [C₈MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ > [C₈Chin]⁺[BTA]⁻, which is consistent with the priori prediction of the COSMO-RS (conductor-like screening model for real solvents) model. But at high feeding concentration, the separation ability of ionic liquids is in the order of [C₂MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ < [C₄MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ ≈ [C₂MIM]⁺[N(CN)₂]⁻ < [C₈MIM]⁺[BF₄]⁻ < [C₈Chin]⁺[BTA]⁻. The liquid demixing effect should be taken into account. The activity coefficients of 1-hexene and n-hexane at infinite dilution calculated with the COSMO-RS model were correlated using the NRTL, Wilson and UNIQUAC model. In this work the predictive results from the COSMO-RS model and UNIFAC model for the 1-hexene/n-hexane and 1-hexene/n-hexane/NMP systems were compared. The UNIFAC model is one of the most important academic contributions by Prof. Jürgen Gmehling.     

Coordination environment of [UO2Br4] in ionic liquids and crystal structure of [Bmim]2[UO2Br4]

The complex formed by the reaction of the uranyl ion, UO₂²⁺, with bromide ions in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][Tf₂N]) and methyl-tributylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([MeBu₃N][Tf₂N]) has been investigated by UV–Vis and U L_III-edge EXAFS spectroscopy and compared to the crystal structure of [Bmim]₂[UO₂Br₄]. The solid state reveals a classical tetragonal bipyramid geometry for [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ with hydrogen bonds between the Bmim⁺ and the coordinated bromides. The UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals the quantitative formation of [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ when a stoichiometric amount of bromide ions is added to UO₂(CF₃SO₃)₂ in both Tf₂N-based ionic liquids. The absorption spectrum also suggests a D_4h symmetry for [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ in ionic liquids, as previously observed for the [UO₂Cl₄]²⁻ congener. EXAFS analysis supports this conclusion and demonstrates that the [UO₂Br₄]²⁻ coordination polyhedron is maintained in the ionic liquids without any coordinating solvent or water molecules. The mean U–O and U–Br distances in the solutions, determined by EXAFS, are, respectively, 1.766(2) and 2.821(2) Å in [Bmim][Tf₂N], and, respectively, 1.768(2) and 2.827(2) Å, in [MeBu₃N][Tf₂N]. Similar results are obtained in both ionic liquids indicating no significant influence of the ionic liquid cation either on the complexation reaction or on the structure of the uranyl species.     

Solubility of H2S in 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids with different anions

The solubility of hydrogen sulfide in a series of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium ([HOemim]⁺)-based ionic liquids (ILs) containing different anions, viz. hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻), trifluoromethanesulfonate ([OTf]⁻), and bis-(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide ([Tf₂N]⁻) at temperatures ranging from 303.15 to 353.15 K and pressures of up to about 1.8 MPa was measured by a volumetric based static apparatus. The solubility data were correlated using two models: (1) the Krichevsky–Kasarnovsky equation and (2) the extended Henry's law combined with the Pitzer's virial expansion for the excess Gibbs energy. Henry's law constants (at zero pressure) in mole-fraction and molality scales were obtained at different temperatures by means of these two models. Using the solubility data, the partial molar thermodynamic functions of solution, i.e. Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated. Comparison showed that the solubility of H₂S is greater than that of CO₂ in the corresponding ILs studied in this work and that the solubility of both gases increases as the number of trifluoromethyl (–CF₃) groups in the anion increases, i.e. the solubility behavior of both gases follows the order [HOemim][Tf₂N] ≥ [HOemim][OTf] > [HOemim][PF₆] > [HOemim][BF₄].     

Cyclic voltammetric study of the catalytic behavior of nickel(I) salen electrogenerated at a glassy carbon electrode in an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, BMIMBF4)

Cyclic voltammetry has been employed to examine the electrochemistry of nickel(II) salen at a glassy carbon electrode in an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, BMIM⁺BF₄⁻). Residual water in the ionic liquid can be eliminated by introduction of activated molecular sieves into the electrochemical cell. Nickel(II) salen exhibits a one-electron, quasi-reversible reduction to nickel(I) salen, and the latter species serves as a catalyst for the cleavage of carbon–halogen bonds in iodoethane and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon^® 113). In BMIM⁺BF₄⁻ the diffusion coefficient for nickel(II) salen at room temperature has been determined to be 1.8×10⁻⁸ cm² s⁻¹, which is more than 500 times smaller than that (1.0×10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹) in a typical organic solvent–electrolyte system such as dimethylformamide (DMF) containing 0.10 M tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate.     

Densities and viscosities for ionic liquids mixtures containing [eOHmim][BF4], [bmim][BF4] and [bpy][BF4]

Densities and viscosities of binary ionic liquids mixtures, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([eOHmim][BF₄]) + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([eOHmim][BF₄]) + N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bpy][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]) + N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bpy][BF₄]) were measured over the entire mole fraction from T = (298.15 to 343.15) K. The excess molar volumes were calculated and correlated by Redlich–Kiser polynomial expansions. The viscosities for pure ionic liquids were analyzed by means of the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher equation and ideal mixing rules were applied for the ILs mixtures.     

On the importance of the nature of the ionic liquids in the selective simultaneous separation of the substrates and products of a transesterification reaction through supported ionic liquid membranes

Previously, we reported the selective simultaneous separation of the substrates and products of a transesterification reaction (vinyl butyrate, 1-butanol, butyl butyrate, and butyric acid) through supported liquid membranes (SLMs) based on two ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [bmim⁺][PF₆⁻], and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [omim⁺][PF₆⁻]. The significant differences observed in the selectivity values, attributed to the different nature of the ionic liquid phase used, led us to further investigate this matter.     

Chloride based ionic liquids as promoting agents for Meerwein reaction in solventless conditions

Chloride based ionic liquids were used as chloride source in Meerwein reaction either in [bmim]X (bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, X = BF₄, PF₆) as solvents or in solventless conditions. Satisfactory yields (49-71%) with diversely substituted diazonium salts were achieved by using 1,3-dibutylimidazolium chloride in the presence of a bimetallic Zn/Cu catalyst.     

A new disposable ionic liquid based coating for headspace solid-phase microextraction of methyl tert-butyl ether in a gasoline sample followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection

A new ionic liquid (IL) based solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber was investigated and used for headspace (HS) extraction of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in a gasoline sample. Using the new IL coated HS-SPME fiber with the combination of gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID); sub-to-low μg L⁻¹ concentrations of MTBE were detected. Four different ILs including 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetraflouroborate ([C₄C₁IM] [BF₄]), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetraflouroborate ([C₈C₁IM] [BF₄]), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexaflourophosphate ([C₈C₁IM] [PF₆]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulphate ([C₂C₁IM] [ETSO₄]) were synthesized and examined for extraction, preconcentration and determination of MTBE. It was observed that [C₈C₁IM] [BF₄] showed the highest extraction efficiency and possessed the best extractability for MTBE. The fiber coating takes up the compounds from the sample by absorption in the case of liquid coatings. The calibration graph was linear in a concentration range of 1-120 μg L⁻¹ (R² > 0.994) with the detection limit of 0.09 μg L⁻¹ level. The new IL-coated fiber was applied successfully for the determination of MTBE in a gasoline sample with good recoveries between 90 and 95%.     

Vapor-liquid equilibria of ternary systems with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate using headspace gas chromatography

Vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) for two binary systems 1-propanol + water and methyl acetate + methanol, and the ternary mixtures with the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate [EMIM]⁺[EtSO₄]⁻ as entrainer were measured by headspace gas chromatography. From the experimental VLE data, the influence of the ionic liquid on the separation factors was investigated. The experimental results for the ternary systems show that [EMIM]⁺[EtSO₄]⁻ has a great influence on the separation factors of the systems investigated. Furthermore, the experimental separation factors were compared with the predicted ones of other ionic liquids and conventional selective solvents using modified UNIFAC (Dortmund).     

Measurement and modeling of osmotic coefficients of aqueous solution of ionic liquids using vapor pressure osmometry method

Osmotic coefficients of binary mixtures containing an ionic liquid, (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIm]BF₄, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate, [EMIm]ES, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate, [BMIm]MS) with water were measured until about 3 molal concentrations using vapor pressure osmometry method (VPO) at temperature ranges 298.15–328.15 K and modeled using different electrolyte excess Gibbs free energy models including electrolyte non-random two liquids (NRTL), modified NRTL (MNRTL), mean spherical approximation NRTL (MSA-NRTL), non random factor (NRF), and extended Wilson models. The results show that osmotic coefficient data increase with increasing temperature. The calculated standard deviations of the studied systems show that the applicability of these models for the correlation of VLE properties of ionic liquid solutions. The average standard deviations for the models have the order σ(?) MNRTL < σ(?) Wilson < σ(?) NRTL < σ(?) MSA-NRTL < σ(?)NRF. The results show MNRTL model is able to reproduce experimental osmotic coefficients of aqueous solution of studied ionic liquids with good precision.     

Extraction and mechanism investigation of trace roxithromycin in real water samples by use of ionic liquid-salt aqueous two-phase system

The ionic liquid, as a green solvent, has several advantages over the organic solvents in traditional liquid-liquid extraction. Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) consisting of a hydrophilic ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoraborate, [Bmim]BF₄) and Na₂CO₃, which is a novel, simple, non-toxic and effective sample pretreatment technique coupled with molecular fluorescence spectrophotometry, was developed for the simultaneous separation, enrichment and rapid analysis of roxithromycin. The extraction yield of roxithromycin in [Bmim]BF₄-Na₂CO₃ aqueous two-phase system is influenced by the types of salts, concentrations of Na₂CO₃ and [Bmim]BF₄, as well as the extracting temperature. Under the optimum conditions, the average extraction efficiency is up to 90.7%. The mechanism of ionic liquid-salt ATPS formation was discussed by hydration theory, and the extraction mechanism of the [Bmim]BF₄-salt ATPS was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that no chemical (bonding) interactions are observed between ionic liquid and roxithromycin, while the nature properties of the roxithromycin are not altered. This method was practical when applied to the analysis of roxithromycin in real water samples with the detection limit of 0.03 μg mL⁻¹, relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.9% (n = 13), and linear ranges of 1.00-20.00 μg mL⁻¹. The proposed extraction technique will be promising in the separation of other small biomolecules.     

Kinetic study of the oxidative addition of methyl iodide to Vaska’s complex in ionic liquids

Oxidative addition of methyl iodide to Vaska’s complex in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate [C₄mim][OTf], [C₄mim] bis(trifluormethylsulfonyl)imide [Tf₂N], and N-hexylpyridinium [C₆pyr][Tf₂N] occurred cleanly to give the expected Ir(III) oxidative addition product. Pseudo-first order rate constants were determined for the oxidative addition reaction in each solvent ([Vaska’s] = 0.25 mM, [CH₃I] = 37.5 mM). The observed rate constants under these conditions were 5-10 times slower than the rate seen in DMF. At high methyl iodide concentrations (>23 mM), the expected first order dependence on methyl iodide was not observed. In each ionic liquid, there was no change in the reaction rates within experimental error over the methyl iodide concentration range of 23-75 mM. At lower methyl iodide concentration, a decrease in rate was observed in [C₄mim][Tf₂N] with decreasing concentration of methyl iodide.     

Evaporation of ionic liquids at atmospheric pressure: study by ion mobility spectrometry

A conventional ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) was used to study atmospheric pressure evaporation of seven pure imidazolium and pyrrolidinium ionic liquids (ILs) with [Tf₂N], [PF₆], [BF₄] and [fap] anions. The positive drift time spectra of the as-received samples measured at 220 °C exhibited close similarity; the peak at reduced mobility K₀ = 1.99 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ was a dominant spectral pattern of imidazolium-based ILs. With an assumption that ILs vapor consists mainly of neutral ion pairs, which generate the parent cations in the reactant section of the detector, and using the reference data on the electrical mobility of ILs cations and clusters, this peak was attributed to the parent cation [emim]. Despite visible change in color of the majority of ILs after the heating at 220 °C for 5 h, essential distinctions between spectra of the as-received and heated samples were not observed. In negative mode, pronounced peaks were registered only for ILs with [fap] anion.     

Glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using basic ionic liquids as catalysts

The glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was studied using several ionic liquids and basic ionic liquids as catalysts. The basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxyl ([Bmim]OH), exhibits higher catalytic activity for the glycolysis of PET, compared with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bicarbonate ([Bmim]HCO₃), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br). FT-IR, ¹H NMR and DSC were used to confirm the main product of glycolysis was bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer. The influences of experimental parameters, such as the amount of catalyst, glycolysis time, reaction temperature, and dosages of ethylene glycol on the conversion of PET, yield of BHET were investigated. The results showed a strong influence of the mixture evolution of temperature and reaction time on depolymerization of PET. Under the optimum conditions of m(PET):m(EG): 1:10, dosage of [Bmim]OH at 0.1 g (5 wt%), reaction temperature 190 °C and time 2 h, the conversion of PET and the yield of BHET were 100% and 71.2% respectively. Balance between the polymerization of BHET and depolymerization of PET could be changed when the reaction time was more than 2 h and contents of catalyst and EG were changed.     

Measurement of vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) and excess enthalpies (H) of binary systems with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and prediction of these properties and γ using modified UNIFAC (Dortmund)

Vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) and excess enthalpies (H^E) were measured for a variety of alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, alcohols, ketones and water in several ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [EMIM]⁺[BTI]⁻, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM]⁺[BTI]⁻, 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [HMIM]⁺[BTI]⁻ and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [OMIM]⁺[BTI]⁻, covering the temperature range from 323.15 to 413.15 K. The new data were used together with the already available experimental data for imidazolium compounds to fit the required group interaction parameters for modified UNIFAC (Dortmund). The results show that in the future modified UNIFAC (Dortmund) can be applied successfully also for systems with ionic liquids.     

Ternary (liquid + liquid) equilibria of the azeotrope (ethyl acetate + 2-propanol) with different ionic liquids at T = 298.15 K

Experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibria involving ionic liquids {1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate (MMIM MeSO₄)}, {2-propanol + ethyl acetate + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM PF₆)} and {2-propanol + ethyl acetate + 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (HMIM PF₆)} were carried out to separate the azeotropic mixture ethyl acetate and 2-propanol. Selectivity and distribution ratio values, derived from the tie-lines data, were presented in order to analyze the best separation solvent in a liquid extraction process. Experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibria data were compared with the correlated values obtained by means of the NRTL, Othmer-Tobias and Hand equations. These equations were verified to accurately correlate the experimental data.     

Stability of Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript> Complexes with Cryptand 222 in Ionic Liquids

Stability constants of silver(I) complexes with cryptand 222 were measured in a number of ionic liquids, applying potentiometric titration. The ionic liquids were based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium and 1-methyl-1-propyl-pyrrolidinium cations, as well as on tetrafluoroborate, triflate and bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide. The stability constants, expressed in log K scale, were within the broad range of 8.4–17.2. The formation of the Ag⁺222 cryptates was not detected in ionic liquids based on halide anions. Free enthalpy of silver(I) transfer from dimethylsulfoxide as a reference molecular solvent to ionic liquids was calculated applying the cryptate assumption. The results were discussed in terms of the competition between silver(I) complexation by ion forming ionic liquid and its complexation by cryptand 222.in final form: 6 December 2004This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Comparison between polyethylenglycol and imidazolium ionic liquids as solvents for developing a homogeneous and reusable palladium catalytic system for the Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling

The carbapalladacycle complex of 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime is a highly active palladium catalyst to effect the Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides and other C-C forming reactions in water. In an attempt to develop a reusable, homogeneous system based on this complex, its stability against prolonged heating in different ionic liquids and polyethylenglycol (PEG) has been studied. It was found that the palladium complex decomposes in water, 1-butyl-1-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-butyl-1-methylimidazolium chloride to form palladium nanoparticles in the first two cases and PdCl₄²⁻ in the third case. In contrast, this cyclic palladium complex was stable upon extended heating in 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and in PEG. The activity of this complex for the Suzuki and Sonogashira correlates with the stability of the complex, the activity in PEG being higher than any of the ionic liquids tested. Although the carbapalladacycle complex also decomposes in PEG upon reaction, the resulting Pd nanoparticles (2-5 nm size) are stabilized by PEG acting as ligand. In this way, a reusable, homogeneous system in PEG has been developed that is able to effect the Suzuki and Sonogashira couplings without the need of copper and phosphorous ligands, working at the open air.