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.     

Thermodynamic modeling of hydrogen sulfide solubility in ionic liquids using modified SAFT-VR and PC-SAFT equations of state

Equations of state based on the statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range (SAFT-VR) and the perturbed chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) have been used to model the PVT behavior of ionic liquids and the solubility of H₂S in six imidazolium-based ionic liquids. The studied systems included [bmim][PF6], [hmim][PF6], [bmim][BF4], [hmim][BF4], [bmim][NTF2] and [hmim][NTF2] at various temperatures and pressures.For pure components, parameters of the models have been obtained by fitting the models to experimental data on liquid densities; the average relative deviation between the calculated and experimental densities for ionic liquids is less than 2.42% in the PC-SAFT model and 5.44% in the SAFT-VR approach, the latter which incorporates the square-well potential for short-range interactions. In both models an additional term has been added to account for dipole-dipole interactions between solute molecules resulting from the permanent charges on the chain molecules of the solvents. The model parameters have also been correlated as functions of the molecular weight of the solvents. For binary mixtures of ionic liquids and H₂S, the association interactions between H₂S molecules and between the ionic liquids and H₂S molecules have also been taken into account in both approaches, using binary interaction coefficients. The results show an average deviation of less than 5% in the calculation of the mole fraction of H₂S in the ionic liquids. The effect of inclusion of the polar term has been studied for binary systems in both models.     

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.     

Recyclable 2nd generation ionic liquids as green solvents for the oxidation of alcohols with hypervalent iodine reagents

Alcohols undergo smooth oxidation with iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) or with Dess-Martin-Periodinane (DMP) in hydrophilic [bmim]BF₄ and hydrophobic [bmim]PF₆ ionic liquids at room temperature under mild conditions to afford the corresponding carbonyl compounds in excellent yields with high selectivity. IBX and DMP promoted oxidations are faster in ionic liquids when compared to conventional solvents such as DMSO, DMF, EtOAc and H₂O. The recovery of the byproduct iodosobenzoic acid (IBA) is especially simple in ionic liquids. The recovered ionic liquids can be recycled in subsequent reactions with consistent activity.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Thermal Analyses,and Spectroscopic Properties of Novel Naphthyl-Functionalized Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

A series of novel ionic liquids based on naphthyl-functionalized imidazolium cation have been prepared. Their structure was characterized by NMR. The thermal stabilities of the prepared liquids were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. The new ionic liquids containing NTf^-₂ anion display significantly higher thermal stabilities (>400°C). Anion exchange to PF^-₆, BF^-₄, and Br^– decreases the thermal stabilities of such ionic liquids. Fluorescence and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy were used to study the spectroscopic properties of the ionic liquids. Compared with common ionic liquids, the described ionic liquids provide robust fluorescence properties and remarkably increased UV–Vis absorption. This research may enrich the field of functionalized ionic liquids and provide a platform for extension of ionic liquid applications.     

Solvent scales comparison by using α-nitrocyclohexanone as probe in ionic liquids,organic solvents and CH3CN/CHCl3 mixtures

The UV–vis spectra of α-nitrocyclohexanone were determined at 25 °C in a series of solvents, including room-temperature ionic liquids, water and CH₃CN/CHCl₃ binary mixtures. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed by applying the Catalán empirical multiparameter solvent approach. Polarizability plays the major role in the solute-solvent interactions, as demonstrated by the quantification of the single solvent contributions, while an excellent linear correlation was found between the experimental and calculated solvent-dependent maxima adsorption bands. The solvatochromic trend of α-nitrocyclohexanone in the investigated media was confirmed by applying the Spange empirical solvent parameters for the ionic liquids in the Kamlet–Taft scale.     

Asymmetric whole cell biotransformations in biphasic ionic liquid/water-systems by use of recombinant Escherichia coli with intracellular cofactor regeneration

Ionic liquids such as [BMIM][PF₆] and [BMIM][NTF] are already known as good alternatives to organic solvents in biphasic biotransformation. Herein, we report about a systematic procedure based on physical properties to identify more commercially available ionic liquids exhibiting the potential to improve the efficiency of whole cell biocatalyses. This approach resulted in the identification of seven other water immiscible ionic liquids. These ionic liquids were rated by their biocompatibility, their substrate- and product-specific distribution coefficients and by for example performed asymmetric reductions of several prochiral ketones. With the use of a recombinant Escherichia coli as biocatalyst, overproducing a Lactobacillus brevis alcohol dehydrogenase and a Mycobacterium vaccae N10 formate dehydrogenase for cofactor regeneration, the great potential of asymmetric whole cell biotransformations in biphasic ionic liquid/water-systems were demonstrated in simple batch processes.     

A theoretical study of the solvent effect on Diels-Alder reaction in room temperature ionic liquids using a supermolecular approach

The Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and three dienophiles (acrolein, methyl acrylate and acrylonitrile) in different room temperature ionic liquids containing imidazolium-based cations ([HBIM]⁺, [BMIM]⁺ and [BM₂IM]⁺) has been studied at the DFT level using a supermolecular approach. An analysis of the theoretical results shows that the ionic liquid cation coordination affects the equilibrium geometries and electronic structures of the reacting species throughout the reaction pathway leading to changes in reactivity and selectivity. They also indicate that the strong asynchronicity of the Diels-Alder reactions in ionic liquids is due to the polarisation effect of the cation.     

Probing the Reorganization of Ionic Liquids’ Structure Induced by CO2 Sorption

The sorption of CO₂ is often used to modify the macroscopic properties of liquids and solids. In the particular case of ionic liquids, different from molecular liquids, the sorption of CO₂ may not induce volume expansions due to the strong Coulombic interactions between the ions of the fluid. However, a considerable viscosity decrease has been systematically observed. In order to understand the mechanisms of properties modifications in ionic fluids, herein we used Raman spectroscopy to probe the effect of CO₂ on the structure of ionic liquids. It is shown that CO₂ perturbs the electrostatic interactions between cations and anions, thus inducing a change in the polar domain of ionic liquids. It is observed that ionic liquids having bulkier ions are more prone to be perturbed by CO₂ in comparison to ionic liquids having smaller ions. These results reveal new means of controlling the electrostatic forces between the ions and contributes to the mechanistic understanding of the modification of the macroscopic properties of ionic liquids by CO₂ sorption.     

Recombination of Lophyl Radicals in Pyrrolidinium‐Based Ionic Liquids

The recombination of photolytically generated lophyl radicals has been investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy in 1‐alkyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imides (NTf₂) in comparison with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium NTf₂, dimethyl sulfoxide, and triacetin. The 1‐alkyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquids contain an alkyl substituent varying between butyl and decyl groups. Optically pure ionic liquids are used in these studies. Temperature‐dependent investigation of lophyl radical recombination shows an increase in the radical recombination rate with increasing temperature in each solvent, which is caused by decreasing viscosity with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the viscosity of the 1‐alkyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium NTf₂ increases nearly linearly within the row of these ionic liquids. In contrast, the recombination of the photolytically generated lophyl radicals is significantly faster in the ionic liquids than in the traditional organic solvents under investigation. Moreover, the recombination rate increases with the length of the alkyl chain bound at the cation of the ionic liquid at a given temperature. This may be caused by an increase in the extent of lophyl radical recombination within the solvent cage. Solvent cage effects dominate in the case of lophyl radical recombination in ionic liquids bearing a long alkyl chain or if the temperature is near the melting temperature of the ionic liquid. The positive value of the activation entropy supports this hypothesis. The results obtained are important for discussion of bimolecular radical reactions in ionic liquids.     

Multifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica supported dual imidazolium ionic liquids as novel and efficient catalysts for heterogeneous Knoevenagel condensation

A type of multifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica supported dual imidazolium ionic liquids PMO-IL-anion have been designed and prepared, characterized and evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts for the Knoevenagel condensation. The as-fabricated supported ionic liquids show good catalytic performances in the Knoevenagel condensation at room temperature, especially the supported ionic liquids PMO-IL-NTf₂ and PMO-IL-PF₆, based on a synergetic effect between the Lewis-base-type sites of dual functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids and active sites of periodic mesoporous organosilica. The best catalytic performance over PMO-IL-NTf₂ was observed with excellent yields of 93～99% in a short time of 20～30 min. In addition, the heterogeneous catalyst offers simple operation for recovery and the recycling test showed that it could be reused for five times without significant loss of catalytic activity, thus making this process economical and environmental-friendly.     

Development in the green synthesis of cyclic carbonate from carbon dioxide using ionic liquids

This brief review presents the recent development in the synthesis of cyclic carbonate from carbon dioxide (CO₂) using ionic liquids as catalyst and/or reaction medium. The synthesis of cyclic carbonate includes three aspects: catalytic reaction of CO₂ and epoxide, electrochemical reaction of CO₂ and epoxide, and oxidative carboxylation of olefin. Some ionic liquids are suitable catalysts and/or solvents to the CO₂ fixation to produce cyclic carbonate. The activity of ionic liquid is greatly enhanced by the addition of Lewis acidic compounds of metal halides or metal complexes that have no or low activity by themselves. Using ionic liquids for the electrochemical synthesis of the cyclic carbonate can avoid harmful organic solvents, supporting electrolytes and catalysts, which are necessary for conventional electrochemical reaction systems. Although the ionic liquid is better for the oxidative carboxylation of olefin than the ordinary catalysts reported previously, this reaction system is at a preliminary stage. Using the ionic liquids, the synthesis process will become greener and simpler because of easy product separation and catalyst recycling and unnecessary use of volatile and harmful organic solvents.     

The Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketones with Oxone in the presence of ionic liquids as solvents

Cyclic and linear ketones were readily oxidised with Oxone^® at 40 °C in ionic liquids as solvents and short times (2.5-20 h), affording their corresponding lactones and esters in high yields (65-95%). Both, aprotic and protic ionic liquids were used. The best conversion of ketones and the highest yields of products were obtained with 1-buty-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-methylimidazolium acetate as solvents. These ionic liquids were also efficiently recycled in the Baeyer-Villiger reaction without significant loss of activity. Several factors, such as the partial solubility of KHSO₅ in the ionic liquid, its viscosity and the presence of a proton in protic ionic liquids, have an influence on the course of the reaction.     

Ionic liquids in the synthesis and modification of polymers

Ionic liquids are organic salts that are liquid at ambient temperatures, preferably at room temperature. They are nonvolatile, thermally and chemically stable, highly polar liquids that dissolve many organic, inorganic, and metallo‐organic compounds. Many combinations of organic cations with different counterions are already known, and the properties of ionic liquids may be adjusted by the proper selection of the cation and counterion. In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in using ionic liquids as solvents for chemical reactions. The interest is stimulated not only by their nonvolatility (green solvents) but also by their special properties, which often affect the course of a reaction. In recent years, ionic liquids have also attracted the attention of polymer chemists. Although the research on using ionic liquids in polymer systems is still in its infancy, several interesting possibilities have already emerged. Ionic liquids are used as solvents for polymerization processes, and in several systems they indeed show some advantages. In radical polymerization, the k_p/k_t ratio (where k_p is the rate constant of propagation and k_t is the rate constant of termination) is higher than in organic media, and thus better control of the process can be achieved. Ionic liquids, as electrolytes, have also attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of electrochemical polymerization and the synthesis of conducting polymers. Finally, the blending of ionic liquids with polymers may lead to the development of new materials (ionic liquids may act as plasticizers, electrolytes dispersed in polymer matrices, or even porogens). In this article, the new developments in these fields are briefly discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4675–4683, 2005     

Ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery from oily sludge-experiment and mechanism

The oily sludge would cause environment pollution, and would cause the heavy oil waste. Therefore, it was vital for us to find novel methods to obtain heavy oil from the oily sludges. In this study, the [C₁₂mim][PF₆] and [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids(ILs) were used to enhance the oil recovery. The toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery, and both the two ILs could increase the oil recovery. Toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery (89.4 wt%), and n-octane could obtain the lowest oil recovery (76.8 wt%). [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] could efficiently increase the heavy oil recovery to 91.2 wt%(by toluene). The [C₁₂mim][Br] could increase the heavy oil recovery further. Both the [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] and the [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids could increase the heavy ois C/H ratio, decrease heavy oil viscosity and increase the sands hydrophilicity. The [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids showed better effect. In addition, the ionic liquids could increase the solvents recovery, and the ionic liquids recovery were high. Therefore, the ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery could be recycled to ten times. The two ionic liquids could effectively decrease the heavy oil interaction force, and when the ionic liquids increased to 200 ppm, the force remained stable. In the end, the ionic liquids enhancing solvent extraction mechanism was put forward.     

Alkylation of benzene with 1-hexene in acidic ionic liquid systems: Et3NHCl-FeCl3and Et3NHCl-AlCl3ionic liquids

Summary The alkylation of benzene with 1-hexene has been investigated in different triethylamine hydrochloride-ferric chloride (Et₃NHCl-FeCl₃) and triethylamine hydrochloride-aluminium chloride (Et₃NHCl-AlCl₃) ionic liquids. Both high catalyst activity and monoalkylation selectivity were observed for these two type of ionic liquids. Systems prepared by modification with HCl in Et₃NHCl-FeCl₃ionic liquids prove to be very suitable solvents and catalysts for the reaction. When employing Et₃NHCl-AlCl₃ionic liquids as catalysts, the reaction takes place in biphasic mode with facile catalyst separation and catalyst recycling.     

Long-chain double SO3H-functionalized Brønsted acidic ionic liquids catalyzed selective alkylation of phenol and p-cresol with tert-butanol

A simple, efficient, and selective approach for the tert-butylation of phenol and p-cresol using two double SO₃H-functionalized long-chain Brønsted acidic ionic liquids as recyclable catalysts is reported. Under optimum reaction conditions, 89.4% conversion of the phenol and 73.7% selectivity of 2,4-tert-butyl-phenol and 93.2% conversion of the p-cresol and 89.2% selectivity of 2-tert-butyl-p-cresol were obtained. Two ionic liquids could be recovered readily and their catalytic activity almost completely retained after five recycles.     

The Synthesis of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Grafted with Fluorinated Protic Ionic Liquids Containing Sulfo Functional Groups

There has been an ongoing need to develop polymer materials with increased performance as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for middle- and high-temperature fuel cells. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a highly hydrophilic and chemically stable polymer bearing hydroxyl groups, which can be further altered. Protic ionic liquids (proticILs) have been found to be an effective modifying polymer agent used as a proton carrier providing PEMs’ desirable proton conductivity at high temperatures and under anhydrous conditions. In this study, the novel synthesis route of PVA grafted with fluorinated protic ionic liquids bearing sulfo groups (–SO₃H) was elaborated. The polymer functionalization with fluorinated proticILs was achieved by the following approaches: (i) the PVA acylation and subsequent reaction with fluorinated sultones and (ii) free-radical polymerization reaction of vinyl acetate derivatives modified with 1-methylimidazole and sultones. These modifications resulted in the PVA being chemically modified with ionic liquids of protic character. The successfully grafted PVA has been characterized using ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ¹³C-NMR and FTIR-ATR. The presented synthesis route is a novel approach to PVA functionalization with imidazole-based fluorinated ionic liquids with sulfo groups.