Influence of the Molecular Structure of Constituents and Liquid Phase Non-Ideality on the Viscosity of Deep Eutectic Solvents

Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) have recently been used as green alternatives to conventional solvents in several applications. In addition to their tunable melting temperature, the viscosity of DES can be optimized by selecting the constituents and molar ratio. This study examined the viscosity of 14 eutectic systems formed by natural substances over a wide range of temperatures and compositions. The eutectic systems in this study were classified as ideal or non-ideal based on their solid–liquid equilibria (SLE) data found in the literature. The eutectic systems containing constituents with cyclohexyl rings were considerably more viscous than those containing linear or phenyl constituents. Moreover, the viscosity of non-ideal eutectic systems was higher than that of ideal eutectic systems because of the strong intermolecular interactions in the liquid solution. At temperatures considerably lower than the melting temperature of the pure constituents, non-ideal and ideal eutectic systems with cyclohexyl constituents exhibited considerably high viscosity, justifying the kinetic limitations in crystallization observed in these systems. Overall, understanding the correlation between the molecular structure of constituents, SLE, and the viscosity of the eutectic systems will help in designing new, low-viscosity DES.     

Thermomicroscopic and ultraviolet spectrophotometric identification of steroid hormones

Thermomicroscopic data (melting points or intervals, eutectic temperatures, refractive indices of the melts) have been determined for 70 steroid hormones and are tabulated in order of increasing melting temperature. Ultraviolet absorption data, specially determined or taken from the literature, are given in place of refractive index data when the latter could not be determined accurately because of decomposition.     

Enhanced Extraction Efficiency of Flavonoids from Pyrus ussuriensis Leaves with Deep Eutectic Solvents

In this study, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized using different ratios of choline chloride (CC) and dicarboxylic acids, and their eutectic temperatures were determined. The DES synthesized using CC and glutaric acid (GA), which showed a higher extraction efficiency than conventional solvents, was used for the extraction of flavonoid components from Pyrus ussuriensis leaves (PUL), and the extraction efficiency was evaluated using the response surface methodology. The flavonoid components rutin, hyperoside, and isoquercitrin were identified through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), equipped with a Waters 2996 PDA detector, and HPLC mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. The optimum extraction was achieved at a temperature of 30 °C using DES in a concentration of 30.85 wt.% at a stirring speed of 1113 rpm and an extraction time of 1 h. The corresponding flavonoid content was 217.56 μg/mL. The results were verified by performing three reproducibility experiments, and a high significance, with a confidence range of 95%, was achieved. In addition, the PUL extracts exhibited appreciable antioxidant activity. The results showed that the extraction process using the DES based on CC and GA in a 1:1 molar ratio could effectively improve the yield of flavonoids from PUL.     

Choline Chloride-Based DES as Solvents/Catalysts/Chemical Donors in Pharmaceutical Synthesis

DES are mixtures of two or more compounds, able to form liquids upon mixing, with lower freezing points when compared to the individual constituents (eutectic mixtures). This attitude is due to the specific hydrogen-bond interactions network between the components of the mixture. A notable characteristic of DES is the possibility to develop tailor-made mixtures by changing the components ratios or a limited water dilution, for special applications, making them attractive for pharmaceutical purposes. In this review, we focused our attention on application of ChCl-based DES in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. In this context, these eutectic mixtures can be used as solvents, solvents/catalysts, or as chemical donors and we explored some representative examples in recent literature of such applications.     

Physicochemical Characterization and Simulation of the Solid–Liquid Equilibrium Phase Diagram of Terpene-Based Eutectic Solvent Systems

The characterization of terpene-based eutectic solvent systems is performed to describe their solid–liquid phase transitions. Physical properties are measured experimentally and compared to computed correlations for deep eutectic solvents (DES) and the percentage relative error e_r for the density, surface tension, and refractive index is obtained. The thermodynamic parameters, including the degradation, glass transition and crystallization temperatures, are measured using DSC and TGA. Based on these data, the solid–liquid equilibrium phase diagrams are calculated for the ideal case and predictions are made using the semi-predictive UNIFAC and the predictive COSMO RS models, the latter with two different parametrization levels. For each system, the ideal, experimental, and predicted eutectic points are obtained. The deviation from ideality is observed experimentally and using the thermodynamic models for Thymol:Borneol and Thymol:Camphor. In contrast, a negative deviation is observed only experimentally for Menthol:Borneol and Menthol:Camphor. Moreover, the chemical interactions are analyzed using FTIR and ¹H-NMR to study the intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the systems.     

Thermomicroscopic and ultraviolet spectrophotometric identification of psychotherapeutic drugs

Thermomicroscopic data (melting points or intervals, eutectic temperatures and, where possible, refractive indices of the melt) have been determined for 44 psychotherapeutic drugs and are tabulated in order of increasing melting temperature (Table 1). Where, because of decomposition, the refractive index of the melt cannot be used for confirmation of identity, ultraviolet absorption and microchemical test data are given instead. As a further diagnostic aid, information is given on sublimation, polymorphism, and crystalline forms observed during the heating of the powder or the cooling or reheating of its melt.     

芴和芴酮最低共熔点的测定

采用X-4数字显示显微熔点测定仪测定了不同组成的芴与芴酮混合物试样的熔点,用最小二乘法近似处理组成与熔点数据,得到芴和芴酮的最低共熔点为57.4°C,其摩尔分数为芴39%和芴酮61%。该测定芴与芴酮最低共熔点的简单方法,可用于本科生的基础化学实验教学。     

Interaction between poly(ethylene glycol) and water as studied by differential scanning calorimetry

The interaction between poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and water was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves of PEG–water systems were classified into three groups according to the difference in molecular weight. The melting peaks of eutectic mixture appeared for PEG with molecular weight higher than 1000. The eutectic point temperature shifted to higher temperatures and the eutectic point composition shifted to lower concentrations of PEG with increasing molecular weight. The maximum hydration number per ethylene glycol (EG) unit was estimated as 1.6, 2.4, and 3.3 for samples with molecular weights 400, 1540, and 70,000, respectively. No thermal change was found in PEG1540‐water system for a narrow weight fraction range of 0.585–0.605 for overall measuring temperatures due to perfect supercooling. The glass transition temperature shifted to higher temperatures with increasing molecular weight of PEG. A modified Flory–Huggins equation was used to fit curves for experimental liquidus data in phase diagrams. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 496–506, 2001     

Structural Studies on PEK/TPI Blends

Blends of poly(ether ketone) (PEK) with poly(terephthaloyl-imide) (a thermoplasticpolyimide, TPI) were studied by temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC) and X-ray diffraction. Samples were prepared by compression moulding of the premixed materials at 400°C and quenched to prevent crystallisation.The amorphous blends showed a single glass transition but with a jump in the temperature value at 60 mass% of PEK, indicating limited miscibility of the system at both sides of the composition series in the quenched, glassy state. Two cold crystallisation peaks over the concentration range 30 to 70 mass% of PEK were observed, but only one for all other compositions. A single melting peak was observed in all systems.Blends crystallised from the glassy state showed eutectic behaviour with the presence of the crystals of both pure components. This is the first reported case of two semicrystalline polymers exhibiting eutectic co-crystallisation. The formation of eutectic crystals is proof of full miscibility of the two polymers in their liquid state, i.e. at a temperature of 400°C and above. Blends cooled from the melt at a cooling rate of 2 K min^–1 showed a single glass transition and an extended melting range.Crystallisation during a second melting run generally starts at a different temperature then during the first run indicating chemical changes occurred in the molten state. This change was also verified by an exothermic peak above the melting temperature using TMDSC.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction and Stabilization of Betalains from Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Wastes Using Deep Eutectic Solvents

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) using magnesium chloride hexahydrate [MgCl₂·6H₂O] and urea [U] proportions (1:1) and (2:1), were prepared for their use as extracting and stabilizer agents for red and violet betalains from beetroot (Beta vulgaris) waste. The synthetized DES [MgCl₂·6H₂O] [U] showed similar properties to eutectic mixtures, such as, liquid phase, low melting points and conductivity, thermal stability, and variable viscosity. In turn, betalain DES extracts (2:1) exhibited compatibility in the extraction and recovery of betalains from beetroot wastes, showing a betalain content comparable to that of betalain extracts. Betalain stability was determined by degradation tests; the exposure conditions were visible light (12 h), molecular oxygen from atmospheric air and environmental temperature (20–27 °C) for 40 days. The kinetic curves of the betalain degradation of water samples depicted a first-order model, indicating the alteration of a violet colouration of betalains from beetroot waste for 5–7 days. However, betalains from DES extracts were kept under visible light for 150 days, and for 340 days in storage (amber vessels), achieving a stability of 75% in comparison with initial beet extracts.     

Thermal and conductometric studies of NdBr3 and NdBr3-LiBr binary system

The heat capacity of solid NdBr₃ was measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry in the temperature range from 300 K up to the melting temperature. The heat capacity of liquid NdBr₃ was also determined. These results were least-squares fitted to a temperature polynome. The melting enthalpy of NdBr₃ was measured separately. DSC was used also to study phase equilibrium in the NdBr₃-LiBr system. The results obtained provided a basis for constructing the phase diagram of the system under investigation. It represents a typical example of simple eutectic system. The eutectic composition, x(NdBr₃)=0.278, was obtained from the Tamman construction. This eutectic mixture melts at 678 K. The electrical conductivity of NdBr₃-LiBr liquid mixtures and of pure components was measured down to temperatures below solidification. Reflectance spectra of the pure components and their solid mixtures (after homogenisation in the liquid state) with different composition were recorded in order to confirm the reliability of the constructed phase diagram. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The LiCl-KCl binary system

Liquidus temperatures in the LiCl-KCl system in the composition range from 0 to 100 mol % KCl have been measured for 16 samples using the methods of oscillation phase analysis and thermal analysis. The melting points of the components and the eutectic composition of the system have been refined.     

Melting and glass transition for Ni clusters

The melting of NiN clusters (N = 29, 50-150) has been investigated by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with a quantum corrected Sutton-Chen (Q-SC) many-body potential. Surface melting for Ni147, direct melting for Ni79, and the glass transition for Ni29 have been found, and those melting points are equal to 540, 680, and 940 K, respectively. It shows that the melting temperatures are not only size-dependent but also a symmetrical structure effect; in the neighborhood of the clusters, the cluster with higher symmetry has a higher melting point. From the reciprocal slopes of the caloric curves, the specific heats are obtained as 4.1 kB per atom for the liquid and 3.1 kB per atom for the solid; these values are not influenced by the cluster size apart in the transition region. The calculated results also show that latent heat of fusion is the dominant effect on the melting temperatures (Tm), and the relationship between S and L is given.     

Extraction and Analysis of Six Effective Components in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch by Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) Combined with Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single Marker (QAMS) Method

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are green organic solvents that have broad prospects in the extraction of effective components of traditional Chinese medicine. This work employed the quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method to quantitatively determine the six effective components of glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid in Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which was used for comprehensive evaluation of the optimal extraction process by DESs. First, Choline Chloride: Lactic Acid (ChCl-LA, molar ratio 1:1) was selected as the most suitable DES by comparing the extraction yields of different DESs. Second, the extraction protocol was investigated by extraction time, extraction temperature, liquid-to-material ratio, molar ratio, and ultrasonic power. The Box–Behnken design (BBD) combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the optimal DES conditions. The result showed that the best DES system was 1.3-butanediol/choline chloride (ChCl) with the molar ratio of 4:1. The optimal extraction process of licorice was 20 mL/g, the water content was 30%, and the extraction time was 41 min. The comprehensive impact factor (z) was 0.92. At the same time, it was found that the microstructure of the residue extracted by the eutectic solvent was more severely damaged than the residue after the traditional solvent extraction through observation under an electron microscope. The DES has the characteristics of high efficiency and rapidity as an extraction solution.     

Détermination expérimentale du diagramme de phase du système chlorure de cadmium-chlorure de potassium

A solid liquid phase equilibria diagram of Cd Cl₂K Cl has been obtained by thermal analysis. X-ray diffraction confirms deposition of pure components and of two compounds (Cd Cl₂ · K Cl) and (Cd Cl₂ · 4 K Cl). The first is congruently melting; the second is incongruently melting. Two eutectic and one peritectic transforms are observed for the mole fractions of K Cl 0.344, 0.620, 0.685 at the temperatures 658.5 K, 663.4 K, 733 K.     

Deep Eutectic Ionic Liquids as Epoxy Resin Curing Agents

Epoxy compositions based on low-molecular bisphenol A type resin and deep eutectic solvents from choline chloride (ChCl) and guanidine derivatives or urea were prepared and investigated. Pot life at room temperature and curing process at dynamic mode were studied using DSC and rheometry while DES basic ratio was changed in a range of 3–9 wt. part/100 wt. part of epoxy resin (phr). Thermomechanical properties (glass transition and tan δ) of the cured epoxy materials (DES content up to 20 phr) using DMTA and their thermal resistance on the basis of thermogravimetric measurements were evaluated. The curing mechanism, i.e., ratio of polyaddition reaction to catalytic polymerization, was evaluated considering changeable guanidine derivative content in relation to epoxy resin.     

A study on the physical properties of low melting mixtures and their use as catalysts/solvent in the synthesis of barbiturates

In recent years, deep eutectic solvents have become attractive due to their interesting characteristics such as, physicochemical properties, low cost of components, easiness to prepare, low toxicity, bio-renewability, and biodegradability. In order to make the deep eutectic mixture more cost-effective and renewable, carbohydrate derivatives were linked with deep eutectic mixtures, since, carbohydrates are the most important and widespread renewable compounds on the earth. In this work, we have used low melting mixtures comprised of carbohydrates to create the reaction media for organic transformations. The physical properties such as density, viscosity, acidity, refractive index, surface tension, solubility, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, solvent polarity, and toxicity of the mixture were studied. Low melting mixtures were used as reaction media and catalysts for the effective synthesis of Barbiturates. The reaction between aldehydes and barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid, and the reaction between aldehydes, barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid, and malononitrile/dimedone were performed effectively with good to excellent yields. The recyclability of the catalyst/solvent was also established.     

Melting of water/poly(ethylene oxide) systems

The transition temperatures of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/water systems were studied over the temperature range from ?90 to 110°C by differential scanning calorimetry. The composition of the systems and the average molecular weight of the PEO were varied over a wide range. The systems under study tend to supercool and become partially or completely glassy depending on the cooling rate, composition, and PEO molecular weight. The glassy phases crystallize on being heated above their glass transition temperature. Systems containing about 60 wt % of PEO are most readily super cooled without crystallization. The dependence of melting temperatures and enthalpies on composition was studied and their isobar phase diagrams were drawn. They show that at a definite polymer content (about 50 wt %), which is molecular weight dependent, the systems behave as binary eutectic mixtures. The results confirm the idea that PEO forms quite stable molecular complexes with water.     

Thermal investigation of PEG 4000 — oxazepam binary system

A thermal study using DSC and Hot Stage Microscopy (HSM) was carried out to investigate the interaction in solid state of the binary system PEG 4000 — oxazepam, and to establish their phase diagram. The eutectic composition, which melting occurs at lower temperature as compared with the pure components, has been determined. The results obtained by DSC and HSM have indicated that PEG 4000 — oxazepam mixtures displays no obvious incompatibilities, and that the system shows a typical eutectic behaviour. However because of the closeness of the melting of PEG 4000 to the eutectic temperature, it was difficult to determine precisely the eutectic composition and temperature on the basis of DSC measurements alone. The use of heats of fusion corresponding to physical mixtures allowed an estimation of the eutectic composition at 6% w/w oxazepam. Additional information of temperature (57.6C) and composition (5–10% w/w oxazepam) of the eutectic was obtained by HSM using the contact method. This low melting temperature in this range of compositions offers advantages in terms of drug stability and easy manufacture.     

Revisiting the Physicochemical Properties and Applications of Deep Eutectic Solvents

Recently, deep eutectic solvent (DES) or ionic liquid (IL) analogues have been considered as the newest green solvent, demonstrating the potential to replace harsh volatile organic solvents. DESs are mainly a combination of two compounds: hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and hydrogen bond donor (HBD), which have the ability to interact through extensive hydrogen bonds. A thorough understanding of their physicochemical properties is essential, given their successful applications on an industrial scale. The appropriate blend of HBA to HBD can easily fine-tune DES properties for desired applications. In this context, we have reviewed the basic information related to DESs, the two most studied physicochemical properties (density and viscosity), and their performance as a solvent in (i) drug delivery and (ii) extraction of biomolecules. A broader approach of various factors affecting their performance has been considered, giving a detailed picture of the current status of DESs in research and development.