Solubilities of imidazolium-based ionic liquids in aqueous salt solutions at 298.15 K

The solubilities of ionic liquids in the ternary systems (ionic liquid + H₂O + inorganic salt) were reported at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The examined ionic liquids are [C₄mim][PF₆] (1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate), [C₈mim][PF₆] (1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate), and [C₈mim][BF₄] (1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate). The examined inorganic salts are the chloride-based salts (sodium chloride, lithium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride) and the sodium-based salts (sodium thiocyanate, sodium nitrate, sodium trifluoroacetate, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium perchlorate, sodium acetate, sodium hydroxide, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium phosphate, sodium tetrafluoroborate, sodium sulfate, and sodium carbonate). The effects of the cations and the anions of the ionic liquids and of the inorganic salts on the solubility of the ionic liquids in the ternary solutions were systematically compared and discussed.     

Tetraalkylphosphonium-based ionic liquids

Ionic liquids are salts that are liquid at or near room temperature. Their wide liquid range, good thermal stability, and very low vapor pressure make them attractive for numerous applications. The general approach to creating ionic liquids is to employ a large, unreactive, low symmetry cation with and an anion that largely controls the physical and chemical properties. The most common cations used in ionic liquids are N-alkylpyridinium and N,N′-dialkylimidazolium. Another very effective cation for the creation of ionic liquids is tetraalkylphosphonium, [PR₁R₂R₃R₄]⁺. The alkyl groups, R_n, generally are large and not all the same. The halide salts of several phosphonium cations are available as starting materials for metathesis reactions used to prepare ionic liquids. The large phosphonium cations can combine with relatively large anions to make viscous but free flowing liquids with formula mass greater than 1000 g mol⁻¹. Some other more massive salts are waxes and glasses. The synthesis and the physical, chemical, and optical properties of phosphonium-ionic liquids having anions with a wide range of masses were measured and are reported here.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of Zn2SnO4

Nanosized Zn₂SnO₄ (ZTO) particles were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process in water/ethylene glycol mixed solution using amines (ethylamine, n-butylamine, n-hexylamine, and n-octylamine) as mineralizer. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractions (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N₂ adsorption. The results indicated that the hydrothermal conditions, such as alkaline concentration (n-butylamine), reaction temperature, solvent composition, and the kind of amines, had an important influence on the composition, crystallinity, and morphology of the product. The as-synthesized ZTO samples exhibited high activities and durabilities for photodegradation of methyl orange and the activities were mainly affected by the crystallinities of the samples. A hexagonal-shaped ZTO (H-ZTO) sample was prepared in 0.53 M of n-butylamine solution at 180 °C for 20 h and its optical properties were characterized by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance and Photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Furthermore, the photocatalytic H₂ evolution reaction from ethanol aqueous solution over H-ZTO was also investigated.     

Ionic Liquids Made with Dimethyl Carbonate: Solvents as well as Boosted Basic Catalysts for the Michael Reaction

This article describes 1) a methodology for the green synthesis of a class of methylammonium and methylphosphonium ionic liquids (ILs), 2) how to tune their acid–base properties by anion exchange, 3) complete neat‐phase NMR spectroscopic characterisation of these materials and 4) their application as active organocatalysts for base‐promoted carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. Methylation of tertiary amines or phosphines with dimethyl carbonate leads to the formation of the halogen‐free methyl‐onium methyl carbonate salts, and these can be easily anion‐exchanged to yield a range of derivatives with different melting points, solubility, acid–base properties, stability and viscosity. Treatment with water, in particular, yields bicarbonate‐exchanged liquid onium salts. These proved strongly basic, enough to efficiently catalyse the Michael reaction; experiments suggest that in these systems the bicarbonate basicity is boosted by two orders of magnitude with respect to inorganic bicarbonate salts. These basic ionic liquids used in catalytic amounts are better even than traditional strong organic bases. The present work also introduces neat NMR spectroscopy of the ionic liquids as a probe for solute–solvent interactions as well as a tool for characterisation. Our studies show that high catalytic efficacy of functional ionic liquids can be achieved by integrating their green synthesis, along with a fine‐tuning of their structure. Demonstrating that ionic liquid solvents can be made by a truly green procedure, and that their properties and reactivity can be tailored to the point of bridging the gap between their use as solvents and as catalysts.     

Colloid chemical characterisation of layered titanates,their hydrophobic derivatives and self-assembled films

Na₂Ti₃O₇, with layered structure, was prepared from a 1:3 molar mixture of powdered Na₂CO₃ and TiO₂ by heating at 800 °C for 2 h. The Na⁺ ions were exchanged for H⁺ ions by hydrochloric acid treatment; next, n-butylamine, n-octylamine, n-decylamine or n-dodecylamine were incorporated at pH=3.6–3.8. It was proven by XRD measurements that, as the length of the alkyl chain of the amines was increased, smaller amounts of amines were intercalated under identical conditions. H₂Ti₃O₇ samples dispersed in liquids of various compositions and polarities were used for the preparation of self-assembled titanate/polymer films for further sensor applications. Titanates, their composites with alkyl amines and the self-assembled hybrid structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermoanalytical, optical, electron and atomic force microscopic measurements.     

Effect of ionic liquid organizing ability and amine structure on the rate and mechanism of base induced elimination of 1,1,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethanes

The kinetics of the elimination reaction of 1,1,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethanes into the corresponding 1,1-dibromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethenes induced by amines were studied in three room temperature ionic liquids ([BMIM][BF₄], [BMIM][PF₆], [BdMIM][BF₄]). In order to have information about reagent-ionic liquid interactions, the reaction was carried out over the temperature range (293.1-313.1 K). To study the effect of the amine on the rate and occurrence of the elimination reaction, several primary, secondary and tertiary amines with different structure (cyclic and acyclic), basicity and steric requirements were used. The data collected show that the reaction occurs faster in ionic liquids than in other conventional solvents. Furthermore, ionic liquids seem to be able to induce, for the studied reaction, a shift of mechanism from E1_cb (in MeOH) versus E2 (in ionic liquid).     

n-Butylammonium carboxylates/Tf2O: ionic liquid based systems for the synthesis of unsymmetrical imides via a Ritter-type reaction

We have developed a new method for the preparation of unsymmetrical imides using liquid carboxylate salts via a Ritter-type process. The reactions were carried out with nitriles and n-butylammonium carboxylates as ionic liquids in the presence of triflic anhydride (Tf₂O) as the promoter. Mild reaction conditions, simplicity of the procedure, and proton-free conditions are the main advantages of this procedure.     

Atom transfer carbonylation using ionic liquids as reaction media

Photo-induced ATC reactions of RI, CO, and amines to produce amides, were examined using ionic liquids, such as [bmim]PF₆ and [bmim]NTf₂, as reaction media in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Pd–carbene complex. When the primary alkyl iodide was used, the yield of the amide was lowered due to competing S_N2 reactions between RI and amines, whereas the reaction of the tertiary alkyl iodides was dependent on the structure of the substrates. ATC reactions of a wide variety of secondary RI proceeded smoothly when ionic liquids were used as reaction media. The Pd-catalyst and ionic liquid could also be recycled.     

Pivotal Role of the Basic Character of Organic and Salt Catalysts in C−N Bond Forming Reactions of Amines with CO2

Organocatalysts promote a range of C−N bond forming reactions of amines with CO₂. Herein, we review these reactions and attempt to identify the unifying features of the catalysts that allows them to promote a multitude of seemingly unrelated reactions. Analysis of the literature shows that these reactions predominantly proceed by carbamate salt formation in the form [BaseH][RR′NCOO]. The anion of the carbamate salt acts as a nucleophile in hydrosilane reductions of CO₂, internal cyclization reactions or after dehydration as an electrophile in the synthesis of urea derivatives. The reactions are enhanced by polar aprotic solvents and can be either promoted or hindered by H-bonding interactions. The predominant role of all types of organic and salt catalysts (including ionic liquids, ILs) is the stabilization of the carbamate salt, mostly by acting as a base. Catalytic enhancement depends on the combination of the amine, the base strength, the solvent, steric factors, ion pairing and H-bonding. A linear relationship between the base strength and the reaction yield has been demonstrated with IL catalysts in the synthesis of formamides and quinazoline-2,4-diones. The role of organocatalysts in the reactions indicates that all bases of sufficient strength should be able to catalyze the reactions. However, a physical limit to the extent of a purely base catalyzed reaction mechanism should exist, which needs to be identified, understood and overcome by synergistic or alternative methods.     

Electrochemically stable fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids based on quaternary phosphonium cations

Fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids of quaternary phosphonium cations, tri-n-butylmethylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₁) fluorohydrogenate, tetra-n-butylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₄) fluorohydrogenate, and tri-n-butyl-n-octylphosphonium (P₄₄₄₈) fluorohydrogenate, have been synthesized by the metatheses of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and the corresponding phosphonium chloride precursors. All the obtained salts have melting points below room-temperature with a vacuum-stable composition of P_444m(FH)_2.3F (m = 1, 4, and 8) and were characterized by density, conductivity, and viscosity measurements. Linear sweep voltammetry with a glassy carbon working electrode shows that the P_444m(FH)_2.3Fs have wide electrochemical windows exceeding 5.2 V. In particular, P₄₄₄₁(FH)_2.3F has an electrochemical window of 6.0 V, which is the widest among fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids reported to date. The thermal stability of these ionic liquids is also improved compared to the salts of N-heterocyclic ammonium cations.     

Mandelate and prolinate ionic liquids: synthesis, characterization, catalytic and biological activity

A group of quaternary ammonium mandelates and l-prolinates, as ionic liquids, were synthesized and characterized. The prepared salts were soluble in water and showed high surface activity. The described synthesis of l-prolinate was simple and the obtained ionic liquid contained a chiral anion. l-Prolinate in CH₂Cl₂ was employed for the asymmetric Michael addition of a ketone to nitrostyrene. A yield of 60%, enantioselectivity (upto 50% ee), and good diastereoselectivity (syn/anti ratio of up to 90:10) were obtained for the asymmetric addition of cyclohexanone. These novel ionic liquids proved to be very effective anti-microbial and anti-fungal agents, especially didecyldimethylammonium l-prolinate. Additionally, it was found that phytotoxicity can be a useful tool in assessing the optical forms of ionic liquids.     

Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate Catalyzed by DBU Derived Basic Ionic Liquids

In this work, 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU), 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]‐5‐nonene (DBN), and imidazole (MIM)‐derived bromide ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and used to catalyze the cycloaddition reactions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) with several kinds of epoxides to form cyclic carbonates. The DBU derived bromide ionic liquid system was found to have the best catalytic activity among all the tested ILs. The influences of reaction conditions (including temperature, pressure and reaction time) on the reaction of CO₂ to propylene oxide (PO) were studied to show the best conditions of 120 °C, 1 MPa, 2.5 h catalyzed by 2 mol% DBU‐derived bromide ionic liquid, with the conversion of PO and the selectivity of propylene carbonate (PC) reaching 99% and 99%, respectively. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the ionic liquid system could be reused at least five times without decrease in selectivity and conversion. NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations were used to reveal the hydrogen‐bond interaction between ionic liquids and reagent, based on which the reaction mechanism was proposed.     

Pivotal Role of the Basic Character of Organic and Salt Catalysts in C−N Bond Forming Reactions of Amines with CO2

Organocatalysts promote a range of C?N bond forming reactions of amines with CO₂. Herein, we review these reactions and attempt to identify the unifying features of the catalysts that allows them to promote a multitude of seemingly unrelated reactions. Analysis of the literature shows that these reactions predominantly proceed by carbamate salt formation in the form [BaseH][RR′NCOO]. The anion of the carbamate salt acts as a nucleophile in hydrosilane reductions of CO₂, internal cyclization reactions or after dehydration as an electrophile in the synthesis of urea derivatives. The reactions are enhanced by polar aprotic solvents and can be either promoted or hindered by H‐bonding interactions. The predominant role of all types of organic and salt catalysts (including ionic liquids, ILs) is the stabilization of the carbamate salt, mostly by acting as a base. Catalytic enhancement depends on the combination of the amine, the base strength, the solvent, steric factors, ion pairing and H‐bonding. A linear relationship between the base strength and the reaction yield has been demonstrated with IL catalysts in the synthesis of formamides and quinazoline‐2,4‐diones. The role of organocatalysts in the reactions indicates that all bases of sufficient strength should be able to catalyze the reactions. However, a physical limit to the extent of a purely base catalyzed reaction mechanism should exist, which needs to be identified, understood and overcome by synergistic or alternative methods.     

Preparation of Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids by Neutralization of 1,1,3,3‐Tetramethylguanidine with Acids and their Use as Media for Mannich Reaction

Abstract

New room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs) were prepared by neutralization of 1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine with different acids under ambient condition. The density, viscosity, decomposition temperature, electronic conductivity, and miscibility with some commonly used solvents were determined. As an example of the applications of the new ILs, the reaction of benzaldehyde, aniline, and acetophenone was carried out in the ILs. The ILs are easily prepared in large scale.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria for (acetate-based ionic liquids + inorganic salts) aqueous two-phase systems

In the present work, (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data have been determined experimentally for aqueous two-phase systems formed by the imidazolium ionic liquids of [C_nmim][CH₃COO] (n = 4, 6, 8) and inorganic salts of K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, and K₂CO₃ at T = 298.15 K. Combined with available data in the literature, the effect of alkyl chain length of cations, type of anions of the ionic liquids, and nature of the inorganic salts were examined on the binodal curves of the systems. Then the binodal curves were fitted to a four-parameter empirical equation, and the tie-lines were described by the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft equations. In addition, the extraction capacity of the {[C_nmim][CH₃COO] (n = 4, 6, 8) + K₃PO₄} aqueous two-phase systems was evaluated through their application to the extraction of l-tryptophan. The high extraction efficiency suggests that these aqueous two-phase systems are feasible to be used in the extraction and separation process.     

Fluorous ionic liquids as solvents for the liquid-liquid extraction of metal ions by macrocyclic polyethers

The predominant mode of strontium ion transfer from aqueous nitrate media into a series of 1-fluoroalkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)]imides containing dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) is shown to shift from cation exchange to strontium nitrato-crown ether complex partitioning as the length of the fluoroalkyl substituent is increased. Fluoroalkyl substituents are shown to be only slightly more effective than their non-fluorous analogs at inducing this shift. At the same time, the fluorinated ionic liquids (ILs) yield strontium distribution ratios as much as an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (C_nmim⁺) salts. Fluorous ILs thus appear to offer no compelling advantages over C_nmim⁺ ionic liquids as extraction solvents.     

Design of guanidinium ionic liquid based microwave‐assisted extraction for the efficient extraction of Praeruptorin A from Radix peucedani

A series of novel tetramethylguanidinium ionic liquids and hexaalkylguanidinium ionic liquids have been synthesized based on 1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine. The structures of the ionic liquids were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. A green guanidinium ionic liquid based microwave‐assisted extraction method has been developed with these guanidinium ionic liquids for the effective extraction of Praeruptorin A from Radix peucedani. After extraction, reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was employed for the analysis of Praeruptorin A. Several significant operating parameters were systematically optimized by single‐factor and L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal array experiments. The amount of Praeruptorin A extracted by [1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine]CH₂CH(OH)COOH is the highest, reaching 11.05 ± 0.13 mg/g. Guanidinium ionic liquid based microwave‐assisted extraction presents unique advantages in Praeruptorin A extraction compared with guanidinium ionic liquid based maceration extraction, guanidinium ionic liquid based heat reflux extraction and guanidinium ionic liquid based ultrasound‐assisted extraction. The precision, stability, and repeatability of the process were investigated. The mechanisms of guanidinium ionic liquid based microwave‐assisted extraction were researched by scanning electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy. All the results show that guanidinium ionic liquid based microwave‐assisted extraction has a huge potential in the extraction of bioactive compounds from complex samples.     

One-pot synthesis–assembly–separation of cucurbit[6]uril via SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids

A novel microwave-assisted route to synthesize cucurbit[n]uril in SO₃H-functionalized ionic liquids was reported, which enabled the automatic separation of cucurbit[6]uril through anion assembly. For the first time, the route has realized synthesis–assembly–separation of cucurbit[6]uril in one pot. The reaction yield and separation efficiency can be tuned by choice of anionic groups in ionic liquids.     

Efficient and convenient oxidation of cyclohexene to adipic acid with H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyzed by H<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in acidic ionic liquids

A simple, efficient, and eco-friendly catalytic system for the oxidation of cyclohexene to adipic acid with H₂O₂ catalyzed by H₂WO₄ in Brønsted acidic ionic liquids under solvent-free conditions has been developed. Reaction conditions such as the catalysts, the types of anions and cations for Brønsted acidic ionic liquids, reaction temperature, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide, were investigated. Moreover, the Hammett acidity functions (H ₀) of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids were determined using UV–visible spectrophotometry. The optimum reaction condition identified was n(H₂WO₄):n(Brønsted acidic ionic liquids):n(cyclohexene):n(H₂O₂) = 0.02:0.02:1:4.4, and the yield of adipic acid was 96% under the reaction scale of 10 mmol. The catalytic system can be easily recovered and reused for four reaction runs without significant loss of catalytic activity. Simple operation of the catalyst system and avoidance of the emission of nitrous oxide are the benefits of this work.     

Group 3 metal (Sc, La) triflates as catalysts for the carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate under mild conditions

The activity of Sc(OTf)₃ and La(OTf)₃ (OTf=SO₃CF₃) as catalysts for the phosgene-free synthesis of carbamate esters via carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate (DMC) has been investigated. In the presence of M(OTf)₃ (M=Sc, La), primary and secondary aliphatic amines easily react with dimethylcarbonate, under very mild conditions (20 °C), to afford carbamate esters with good yield and excellent selectivity (≌100%). Sc(OTf)₃ is a more effective catalyst than the homologue La salt. The carbomethoxylation reaction requires as strict anhydrous conditions, as, at 20 °C, the presence of water inhibits markedly the catalytic activity of both triflate salts. Temperature influences carbamate selectivity, which is lower at higher temperature because of deleterious formation of N-methylation side-products.