Ionic liquid; possibility of protein-preserving solvent under high pressure

We have investigated the pressure-induced phase transition behavior (～3.0 GPa) of aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]) solutions with N-methylacetamide (NMA), which is a simple protein model compound, using Raman spectroscopy. From Raman spectral changes and optical observation in the sequence of elevated pressure, we found that the aqueous [bmim][Cl] solution with NMA in the water-rich condition induces the high pressure crystallization at 2.6 GPa. On the other hand, in the [bmim][Cl]-rich condition, high pressure crystalline phase was not observed even up to 3.0 GPa. Our results show that the aqueous [bmim][Cl] solution in the ionic liquid-rich condition along with the use of pressure has a potential for protein-preserving solvent.