1-Butyl-2,3-trimethyleneimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([b-3C-im][NTf2]): a new, stable ionic liquid

Using imidazole as the starting material, the synthesis of a new bicyclic ionic liquid [b-3C-im][NTf₂] is described. Except for the alkylation reaction in the second step (40% yield) of this four-step synthesis of [b-3C-im][NTf₂], others were all high yielding reactions (85-94% isolated yields). We investigated intrinsic reactivity of this and other imidazolium-based ionic liquids and found that, under strongly basic conditions (KOD in CD₃OD/D₂O (1:1) solution), the new ionic liquid was stable to solvent deuterium isotope exchange while the previously reported [bdmim][NTf₂] and [bdmim][PF₆] ionic liquids were 50% deuterium exchanged at its C-2 methyl in 30 min at ambient temperature. At the same experimental condition, the most commonly employed [bmim][PF₆] ionic liquid was deuterium exchanged instantaneously at its C-2 hydrogen. In the absence of bases (CD₃OD/D₂O = 1:1), only [bmim][PF₆] was deuterium exchanged (50% within 1 h) and other ionic liquids gave no detectable exchanges even after one week at ambient temperature. It is therefore concluded that the new [b-3C-im][NTf₂] ionic liquid is far more chemically stable than previously reported [bmim][PF₆], [bdmim][NTf₂], and [bdmim][PF₆].     

Bicyclic imidazolium-based ionic liquids: synthesis and characterization

We previously reported the use of imidazole as starting compound for preparing a bicyclic imidazolium ionic liquid, [b-3C-im][NTf₂], with an overall 29% isolated yield in four synthetic steps. This new room temperature ionic liquid was shown to be far more chemically stable than commonly used [bmim][PF₆], [bdmim][PF₆], and [bdmim][NTf₂]. Because of this intriguing chemical stability, it prompted us to develop a more generalized and high yielding synthesis so that molecular diversity of bicyclic ionic liquids may be explored. In this work, we amended the previous synthetic route by employing 4-chlorobutyronitrile or 5-chlorovaleronitrile as starting materials and successfully developed a five-step synthesis of a series of novel bicyclic imidazolium-based ionic liquids in 40-53% overall isolated yields. We investigated intrinsic reactivity of all bicyclic ionic liquids prepared and found that, under strongly basic conditions, among all tested ionic liquids the 5,5-membered [R-3C-im][NTf₂] ionic liquids were most stable to solvent deuterium isotope exchange while the previously reported [bdmim][NTf₂] ionic liquid was 50% deuterium exchanged at its C-2 methyl in 30 min at ambient temperature. Under identical condition, the commonly used [bmim][NTf₂] ionic liquid was deuterium exchanged instantaneously at its C-2 hydrogen. In the absence of bases, only [bmim][PF₆] was deuterium exchanged (50% within 1 h) and all other ionic liquids gave no detectable exchanges even after 25 days at ambient temperature. Moreover, both [bmim][NTf₂] and [bdmim][NTf₂] ionic liquids were readily methylated at C-2 position with methyl iodide under basic condition at room temperature. Under the same condition, [R-3C-im][NTf₂] and [R-4C-im][NTf₂] ionic liquids were completely stable and chemically inert. We envisioned that [R-3C-im][NTf₂] should be well suited as solvents for organic synthesis.     

Amine basicity: measurements of ion pair stability in ionic liquid media

The stability constants relevant to the formation of amine/p-nitrophenol ion pairs have been determined in [bmim][BF₄] solution, in the presence of butylamine, piperidine, and triethylamine, by using spectrophotometric measurements. In order to evaluate how the ion pair stability is affected by ionic liquid structure, piperidine has been chosen as model amine for studies in [bmim][PF₆], [bmim][NTf₂], [bm₂im][NTf₂] and in several [bmim][BF₄]/1,4-dioxane binary mixtures. Data obtained in ionic liquid solutions have been compared with those previously reported in conventional organic solvents.     

Baylis-Hillman reaction in [bdmim][PF6] ionic liquid

A new use of ionic liquid [bdmim][PF₆] as solvent for the Baylis-Hillman reaction is presented. Unlike the commonly used [bmim][PF₆] that evidently reacts with electrophilic aldehydes under basic conditions, ionic liquid [bdmim][PF₆] is inert and the Baylis-Hillman reaction in [bdmim][PF₆] proceeds smoothly with better yield.     

Enzymatic polyester synthesis in ionic liquids

The enzymatic synthesis of polyesters by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and polycondensation in three ionic liquids, i.e., [bmim][Tf₂N], [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] was investigated. For the enzymatic ROP of ε-caprolactone it was found that [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][BF₄] result in an inhomogeneous reaction mixture upon polymerization, causing polymerization characteristics similar to bulk polymerization. In contrast, for [bmim][Tf₂N] characteristics similar to toluene were observed. Molecular weights of 7000-9500 g/mol were obtained. In the polycondensation of dimethyl adipate and dimethyl sebacate, respectively, with 1,4-butanol the low volatility of ionic liquids was successfully utilized to perform the reactions in an open vessel at temperatures close to the boiling point of the condensation by-product. Molecular weights up to 5400 g/mol were obtained. This, in combination with the tunable solvent hydrophilicity of ionic liquids could offer an advantage in the polymerization of highly polar monomers with low solubility in organic solvents.     

Effects of temperature and anion species on CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 separation coefficient through ionic liquid membranes

The permeability of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through imidazolium-based ionic liquid membranes was measured by a sweep gas method. Six species of ionic liquids were studied in this work as follows: [emim][BF₄], [bmim][BF₄], [bmim][PF₆], [bmim][Tf₂N], [bmim][OTf], and [bmim][dca]. The ionic liquids were supported with a polyvinylidene fluoride porous membrane. The measurements were performed at T = (303.15 to 343.15) K. The partial pressure difference between feed and permeate sides was 0.121 MPa. The permeability of the CO₂ increases with temperature for the all ionic liquid species. Base on solution diffusion theory, it can be explained that the diffusion coefficient of CO₂ in an ionic liquid affects the temperature dependence more strongly than the solubility coefficient. The greatest permeability was obtained with the [bmim][Tf₂N] membrane. The membrane of [bmim][PF₆] presents the lowest permeability.The separation coefficient between CO₂ and N₂ through the ionic liquid membranes was also investigated at the volume fraction of CO₂ at feed side 0.10. The separation coefficient decreases with the increase of temperature for the all ionic liquid species. The membrane of [emim][BF₄] and [bmim][BF₄] gives the highest separation coefficient at constant temperature. The lowest separation coefficient was obtained from [bmim][Tf₂N] membrane which presents the highest permeability of CO₂.     

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis（chloromethyl）oxacyclobutane in ionic liquids

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane catalyzed by BF_3·OEt_2 was carried out in ionic liquids [bmim]BF_4 and [bmim]PF_6.The influences of BCMO concentration and molar ratio of BCMO/BF_3·OEt_2 on the molecular weights and yield of PBCMO were investigated.The polymerization in ionic liquids proceed to high conversions,although molecular weights are limited,similar to polymerization in organic solvent such as CH_2Cl_2.Follow a viewpoint of green chemistry, we feel ionic liquid [bmim]BF_4 is superior to [bmim]PF_6.Extracting [bmim]PF_6 from the product using organic solvent as extractant limits its advantage as a green reaction media.     

Study on extraction and separation of Ni and Zn using [bmim][PF6] IL as selective extractant from nitric acid solution obtained from zinc plant residue leaching

For the ever-growing demand of nickel (Ni) resources in industry, the Ni recovery from the mining residues or waste has received considerable interest. Zinc plant residue contains valuable metals it may be recovered using conventional pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical processes. The present communication is focused on the selective recovery of Ni from the real nitric acid leach solution of zinc plant residue by solvent extraction (i.e. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) as ionic liquid, Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone)). At first step, leaching of filter cake with the nitric acid solution was examined experimentally and it was observed that nitric acid as a relatively strong oxidant, can adequately dissolve Ni and Zn. After that, Ni and Zn extraction behavior in the leach solution was studied and the influence of pH and extractant concentration were investigated on the extraction of the metals. The results indicated Ni can be effectively separated by controlling the pH values. Moreover, Ni can be selectively separated using dithizone combined with [bmim][PF₆] at pH = 5.5 and the separation factor β_Ni/Zn can reach 2.27 × 10⁵ in one extraction stage. The extraction mechanism of Ni was investigated using slope analysis and stripping efficiencies 100% have been achieved for Zn and Ni with 2.0 M HNO₃. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of [bmim][PF₆] as alternatives solvents which have a less significant environmental impact than the usual solvents in terms of emission of vapors is one of the promising approaches for nickel ion extraction from the real leaching solution of zinc plant residue.     

Ionic liquids extraction of Para Red and Sudan dyes from chilli powder, chilli oil and food additive combined with high performance liquid chromatography

A simple analytical method, based on the coupling of ionic liquid-based extraction with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is developed for the determination of Sudan dyes (I, II, III and IV) and Para Red in chilli powder, chilli oil and food additive samples. Two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim][PF₆]) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₈mim][PF₆]), were compared as extraction solvents; experiments indicated that the latter possesses higher recoveries for each analyte. Parameters related to extraction of Sudan dyes and Para Red were also optimized. Under the optimal conditions, good reproducibility of extraction performance was obtained, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranging from 2.0% to 3.5%. The detection limits of Sudan dyes and Para Red (LOD, S/N = 3) were in the range of 7.0-8.2 μg kg⁻¹ for chilli powder and 11.2-13.2 μg L⁻¹ for chilli oil and food additive. The recoveries were in the range of 76.8-109.5% for chilli powder samples and 70.7-107.8% for chilli oil and food additive samples.     

Cross-condensation of derivatives of cyanoacetic acid and carbonyl compounds. 2. One-pot synthesis of substituted 2-amino-7-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyrans in ethanol and ionic liquid [bmim][PF6]

The three-component reaction of 4-hydroxy-6-methylpyran-2(2H)-one with cyanoacetic acid derivatives and carbonyl compounds in EtOH or in the ionic liquid, viz., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolinium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]), affords substituted 2-amino-7-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyrans. The yield of substituted pyrano[4,3-b]pyrans in [bmim][PF₆] is by 10—14% higher than that in EtOH.     

A new room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as a solvent for extraction and preconcentration of mercury with determination by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry

A new room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate abbreviated as [C₄tmsim][PF₆] was synthesized and developed as a novel medium for liquid/liquid extraction of inorganic mercury in this work. Under optimal condition, o-carboxyphenyldiazoamino-p-azobenzene abbreviated as CDAA reacted with inorganic mercury to form a neutral Hg-CDAA complex, the complex was rapidly extracted into ionic liquid phase. After back-extracting into aqueous phase with sulfide sodium solution, the mercury concentration was detected by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The extraction and back-extraction efficiencies were 99.9 and 100.1% for 5.0 μg L⁻¹ standard mercury in 1000 mL of water solution, respectively. The detection limit, calculated using three times the standard error of estimate of the calibration graph, is 0.01 ng of mercury per milliliter water sample. The proposed method has been used to the determination of trace inorganic mercury in natural water with satisfactory results. Moreover, Zeta potential and surface tension of [C₄tmsim][PF₆] solution were measured and applied to explain the extraction mechanism of [C₄tmsim][PF₆] system.     

Acceleration of the Baylis–Hillman Reaction in the Presence of Ionic Liquids

The Baylis–Hillman reaction is accelerated in the presence of ionic liquids. Of various 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (bmim)‐based ionic liquids tested, [bmim][PF₆] has been found to result in the highest rate increase. In the company of Lewis acid and H‐bond‐donor additives, the reaction rates further improve, albeit only modestly. A preparatively useful Baylis–Hillman procedure prescribes the use of [bmim][PF₆] with La(OTf)₃ and 2,2′2″‐nitrilotris[ethanol], in which the net effect of the ionic liquid is to bring about a more than twofold rate increase over the otherwise same reaction in MeCN.     

An effective system to synthesize methanofullerenes: substrate-ionic liquid-ultrasonic irradiation

Dehalogenation of the polyhalides, CHCl₃, C₆₀(CCl₂), CH₂I₂, and 7,7-dibromobicyclo(4,1,0)heptane, by treatment with zinc, magnesium or NaOH powder, followed by the in situ reaction with fullerene in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation and in the ionic liquid solvents, [bmim][PF₄] or [omim][BF₄], provided [6,6]-junction cycloaddition products in 53-79% yields. Only single isomers of the products were detected in the reaction solutions.     

Solvent relaxation of a room-temperature ionic liquid [bmim][PF6] confined in a ternary microemulsion

In this paper we have reported the solvent and rotational relaxation of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) confined in tween 20/([bmim][PF₆]/water microemulsion using coumarin 153 (C-153) as probe. The most interesting feature of our experiment was that we observed an increase in solvent relaxation time with increase in R (R = tween 20-to-[bmim][PF₆] molar ratio). This is due to the fact that with increase in [bmim][PF₆] content of the microemulsions, the microviscosity of the pool of the microemulsions increases, and motion of ions of [bmim][PF₆] is hindered in the pool of microemulsions. Since motion of ions is responsible for solvation in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), solvent-relaxation time increases with increase in R.     

Determination of triazines in honey by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction high-performance liquid chromatography

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for extraction and determination of triazines from honey. A room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C₆MIM][PF_6.], was used as extraction solvent and Triton X 114 was used as dispersant. A mixture of 175 μL [C₆MIM][PF₆] and 50 μL 10% Triton X 114 was rapidly injected into the 20 mL honey sample by syringe. After extraction, phase separation was performed by centrifugation and the sedimented phase was analyzed by HPLC. Some experimental parameters, such as type and volume of extraction solvent, concentration of dispersant, pH value of sample solution, salt concentration and extraction time were investigated and optimized. The detection limits for chlortoluron, prometon, propazine, linuron and prebane are 6.92, 5.84, 8.55, 8.59 and 5.31 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The main advantages of the proposed method are simplicity of operation, low cost, high enrichment factor and extraction solvent volume at microliter level. Honey samples were analyzed by the proposed method and obtained results indicated that the proposed method provides acceptable recoveries and precisions.     

离子液体型表面活性剂研究

以1-甲基咪唑为原料, 制备了6个常规离子液体: 1-正丁基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐及六氟磷酸盐(简称[bmim][BF₄]及[bmim][PF₆])、1-正己基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐及六氟磷酸盐(简称[hmim][BF₄]及[hmim][PF₆])、1-正十六烷基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐及六氟磷酸盐(简称[C₁₆mim][BF₄]及[C₁₆mim][PF₆])和4个功能化离子液体: 1-(2-羟乙基)-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐及六氟磷酸盐(简称[2-hemim][BF₄]及[2-hemim][PF₆])、1-乙氧羰基甲基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐及六氟磷酸盐(简称[eocmmim][BF₄]及[eocmmim][PF₆]). 研究了这两类离子液体的一些物理性能, 旨在挖掘离子液体在香料香精化妆品工业中的应用价值. 分别检测了它们与一般溶剂的互溶性, 并测定了它们的表面张力和发泡性能, 实验结果表明, 仅[C₁₆mim][BF₄]和[C₁₆mim][PF₆]具有发泡性能, 发泡力分别为68和120 mm.     

Role of the Surfactant Structure in the Behavior of Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids within Aqueous Micellar Solutions

The behavior of an ionic liquid (IL) within aqueous micellar solutions is governed by its unique property to act as both an electrolyte and a cosolvent. The influence of the surfactant structure on the properties of aqueous micellar solutions of zwitterionic SB‐12, nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100, and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of the “hydrophobic” IL 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) is assessed along with the possibility of forming oil‐in‐water microemulsions in which the IL acts as the “oil” phase. The solubility of [bmim][PF₆] within aqueous micellar solutions increases with increasing surfactant concentration. In contrast to anionic SDS, the zwitterionic and nonionic surfactant solutions solubilize more [bmim][PF₆] at higher concentrations and the average aggregate size remains almost unchanged. The formation of IL‐in‐water microemulsions when the concentration of [bmim][PF₆] is above its aqueous solubility is suggested for nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100 aqueous surfactant solutions.     

Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of functionalized cyclooctene by a ruthenium‐based catalyst in ionic liquid

This paper describes the synthesis of a novel monomer of 5‐substituted cyclooctene with the pendant of imidazolium salt (7) and the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of the functionalized cyclooctenes ( 4 and 7 ) in CH₂Cl₂ and ionic liquid [bmim][PF₆] by a ruthenium‐based catalyst RuCl₂(PCy₃)(SIMes)(CHPh) (2). The polymerization, which was carried out in ionic liquid, afforded improved control over the molecular weight (M_n) and polydispersity of the resultant products (PDI <1.4). Furthermore, to facilitate the GPC measurement for molecular weight of polymers, the charged polymers (poly‐ 7 ) were hydrolyzed to give uncharged polymers (poly‐ 4 *) by removing the imidazolium pendant from the polymer chains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3986–3993, 2007     

A practical synthesis of 2‐aminobenzothiazoles via copper(I)‐catalyzed tandem reaction of 2‐iodoanilines with isothiocyanates in ionic liquids

A copper(I)‐catalyzed tandem reaction of 2‐iodoanilines with isothiocyanates was achieved in hydrophobic [bmim][PF₆] ionic liquid under mild conditions, generating a variety of 2‐aminobenzothiazoles in good to excellent yields. The tandem reaction that was carried out in [bmim][PF₆] has some obvious advantages such as accelerated reaction rate and increased yield as compared with the reaction run in volatile solvents such as toluene. Furthermore, the CuI/1,10‐phenanthroline catalytic system can be reused up to eight times without loss of activity and efficiency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extraction and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of 3-indole butyric acid in pea plants by using imidazolium-based ionic liquids as extractant

In this paper, imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C₄mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][PF₆], [C₈mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][BF₄] and [C₈mim][BF₄] were tested as extracting solvents for removal of 3-indole butyric acid (IBA) from aqueous media with subsequent determination using HPLC. Percent extraction of IBA was strongly affected by pH of aqueous phases and the chemical structures of ionic liquids (ILs). Extraction of IBA was quantitative in the pH values lower than pK_a of IBA. Considering both extraction and stripping efficiencies of IBA, [C₄mim][PF₆] was found to act more efficient than other studied ILs. Capacity of [C₄mim][PF₆] was 17.6 × 10⁻⁴ mmol IBA per 1.0 mL of IL. Ionic strength of aqueous phase and temperature had shown no serious effects on extraction efficiency of IBA. A preconcentration factor of 100 and a relative standard deviation of 1.16% were obtained. It was found that ionic liquid phase was reusable almost five times for extraction/stripping purposes. 3-Indole acetic acid showed interferential effect in the extraction step. In order to assess the applicability of the method, extraction and stripping of IBA from pea plants and some other samples were studied.