Chiral quaternary alkylammonium ionic liquid [Pro-dabco][BF4]: as a recyclable and highly efficient organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition reactions

A novel series of chiral quaternary ammonium ionic liquids have been synthesized and shown to be very effective catalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones and aldehydes to nitroolefins with excellent yields (up to 100%), diastereoselectivities (syn/anti = 99:1), and enantioselectivities (up to 97%). The catalytic system, an ionic liquid organocatalyst in [Bmim][BF₄], could be reused five times without a significant loss in catalytic activity or stereoselectivity.     

A convenient method for the preparation of oxazaborolidine catalyst in situ using (S)-α,α-diphenylpyrrolidinemethanol,tetrabutylammonium borohydride,and methyl iodide for the asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones

An oxazaborolidine catalyst is readily prepared in situ at 25 °C in THF using (S)-α,α-diphenylpyrrolidinemethanol and borane generated from tetrabutylammonium borohydride/CH₃I reagent system. The oxazaborolidine/BH₃ reagent system prepared in this way is useful for the reduction of prochiral ketones to the corresponding alcohols with up to 99% ee.     

Synthesis,characterization, and organocatalytic application of chiral ionic liquids derived from (S,R)-noscapine

(S,R)-Noscapine, a phthalideisoquinoline alkaloid has been used as precursor for the synthesis of chiral ionic liquids (CILs). Noscapine based CILs have been synthesized from reaction between (S,R)-noscapine and methyl iodide in acetonitrile at room temperature. The synthesized CILs have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, EI-MS, and polarimetry techniques. These CILs have been used as organocatalysts in the enantioselective reduction of prochiral ketones to produce optically active secondary alcohols. The optically active secondary alcohols have been obtained with excellent yields and low to moderate enantiomeric excess (ee); also the complete enantiomeric excess (100% ee) has been achieved in some cases.     

Handedness inversion of chiral mesoporous silica: A diffuse-reflectance circular dichroism study

Temperature-depended handedness inversion in chiral mesoporous silica was investigated by diffuse-reflectance circular dichroism spectra.     

Asymmetric Reduction of Acetophenones with NaBH4 in the Presence of Mono-6-(1-methyl-3-imidazolium)-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin Tosylate

The asymmetric reduction of acetophenone and its derivatives was achieved with sodium borohydride utilizing a novel chiral ionic liquid of β-cylclodextrin (CD), mono-6-(1-methyl-3-imidazolium)-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin tosylate (MIM-β-CDOTs). It was found that this chiral β-CD-based ionic liquid could provide higher enantioselectivity for the product alcohols. Moreover, the enantioselectivity of the product alcohols was highly dependent on the structure of prochiral ketones, structure of CD and reduction temperature. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Using enantioselective dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the microseparation of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine enantiomers

A new chiral separation system effective for the enantioselective extraction of racemic trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine is presented. Enantioselective dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been used for the chiral microseparation of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, with a chiral azophenolic crown ether being identified as a versatile chiral selector. The influence of various process conditions on the extraction performance was studied experimentally. It was found that the operational selectivity in one extraction step is mainly related to the type and volume of the solvents, chiral selector concentration, extraction time, temperature of sample solution, and pH. At optimum conditions (300 μL of diethyl ether as the extraction solvent 1 mL of methanol as the disperser solvent, with 5 mmol L^?1 chiral selector concentration, pH of the sample equal to 4.5, 30 min extraction time and a temperature of 10 °C), the distribution ratio of (R,R)- and (S,S)-trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine was 18.3 and 1.8, respectively, while the enantioselectivity value of 10.2 was found at the optimum condition.     

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.     

Thermodynamic properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids

Heat capacities and enthalpies of phase transitions for a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids have been measured by adiabatic calorimetry. Thermodynamic properties of the compounds were calculated in the temperature range of (5 to 370) K. Water was found to have an additive contribution to the heat capacities of [C₄mim]Br in the liquid state above T_fus and in the solid state below 160 K at w(H₂O) ⩽ 5 · 10⁻³.     

Iron-catalyzed esterification of allylic sp3 C–H bonds with carboxylic acids: Facile access to allylic esters

The first general and efficient iron-catalyzed esterification of allylic sp³ C–H bonds with carboxylic acids using ionic iron(III) complexes (1–4) as a catalyst and DTBP (DTBP = di-tert-butyl peroxide) as an oxidant is achieved. A variety of allylic esters were synthesized in good to excellent yields using the ionic iron(III) complex 2 as a catalyst in a 5 mol% loading. This reaction is characterized by its high efficiency, broad substrate scope with excellent steric hindrance tolerance and good functional group compatibility.     

Osmotic and activity coefficients in the binary solutions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and bromide in methanol or ethanol at T = 298.15 K from isopiestic measurements

Osmotic coefficients of the binary solutions of two room-temperature ionic liquids (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and bromide) in methanol and ethanol have been measured at T = 298.15 K by the isopiestic method. The experimental osmotic coefficient data have been correlated using a forth-order polynomial in terms of (molality)^0.5, with both, ion interaction model of Pitzer and electrolyte non-random two liquid (e-NRTL) model of Chen. The values of vapor pressures of above-mentioned solutions have been calculated from the osmotic coefficients. The model parameters fitted to the experimental osmotic coefficients have been used for prediction of the mean ionic activity coefficients of those ionic liquids in methanol and ethanol.     

Physical and electrochemical properties of low-viscosity phosphonium ionic liquids as potential electrolytes

A new group of room temperature ionic liquids based on triethylalkylphosphonium cations together with a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion as a novel electrolyte is presented in this report. It was found that phosphonium ionic liquids showed lower viscosities and higher conductivities than those of the corresponding ammonium ionic liquids. Particularly, phosphonium ionic liquids containing a methoxy group, triethyl(methoxymethyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and triethyl(2-methoxyethyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, exhibited quite low viscosities (35 and 44 mPa s at 25 °C, respectively). Linear sweep voltammetry measured in neat phosphonium ionic liquids at a glassy carbon electrode indicated wide potential windows (at least −3.0 to +2.3 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺). Thermogravimetric analysis suggested that phosphonium ionic liquids were thermally stable up to nearly 400 °C, showing slower gravimetric decreases at high temperature compared to those of the corresponding ammonium ionic liquids.     

Low-viscosity and low-melting point asymmetric trialkylsulfonium based ionic liquids as potential electrolytes

Nine new ionic liquids based on small asymmetric trialkylsulfonium cations with TFSI⁻ anion were prepared and characterized. Physical and electrochemical properties of these ionic liquids, including melting point, thermal stability, viscosity, conductivity and electrochemical window were determined. Reducing symmetry of cations reduces the melting points of these ILs. Some of these hydrophobic ionic liquids showed low-viscosity and low-melting point characteristics. The viscosities of S₂₂₃TFSI, S₂₂₁TFSI and S₁₂₃TFSI were 33, 36 and 39 mPa s at 25 °C, respectively. Electrochemical and thermal stabilities of these ILs permitted them to become promising electrolytes used in electrochemical devices.     

Modular construction of pyrido[24]crown-8-based templates in the self-assembly of cross-linked [n]catenanes

Starting from the versatile 4-bromopyrido[24]crown-8 building block, novel ditopic and tritopic receptors have been synthesized and shown to be appropriate hosts for bis(4-formylbenzyl)ammonium hexafluorophosphate. Association constants (per binding site) for the corresponding [3]- and [4]pseudorotaxanes, assembled from these components, were determined to be 2753  M^?1 and 723  M^?1, respectively. Mechanical bond formation was attempted utilizing dynamic imine bond formation between the formyl groups of the bound dibenzylammonium threads and p-phenylenediamine.     

Density and sound speed study of hydration of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium based amino acid ionic liquids in aqueous solutions

Amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) have huge potential in the field of protein chemistry, enzymatic reactions, templates for synthetic study etc. which is due to their distinctive properties like unique acid-base characteristics, tunable hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding ability and strong hydration effects. To explore the field of bio-ionic liquids for its real life applications and sustainable technology development, it is essential to have better understanding of these newly researched liquid salts in life’s most chosen medium, i.e. in aqueous medium, through study of their physicochemical properties in aqueous solutions. In this context, we are reporting herewith measurements and analysis of volumetric properties in the temperature range of (293.15 to 313.25) K and acoustic properties at 298.15 K in the concentration range of (0.05 to 0.5) mol · kg⁻¹ for aqueous solutions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [Bmim] based amino acid ionic liquids, prepared from glycine, l-alanine, l-valine, l-leucine and l-isoleucine. The experimental density and sound speed data were used to obtain apparent, partial and limiting molar volumes as well as isentropic and isothermal compressibility properties. These data have been further used to understand electrostriction as well as concentration dependence of internal pressure. The hydration numbers for AAILs in aqueous medium were estimated from compressibility data using Passynski method and the estimated ionic hydration numbers are compared with those obtained using activity data. The results are explained in terms of cooperative hydration effects, hydrophobic interactions, kosmotropic behavior of AAILs, etc.     

Temperature dependence of the surface tension and 0.1 MPa density for 1-Cn-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate with n = 2, 4, and 6

Experimental air–liquid interfacial tension data and density data are presented for three 1-C_n-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphates (FAP), [C_nMIM][(C₂F₅)₃PF₃], with n = 2, 4, and 6, measured at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range from 267 K to 360 K using the Krűss K100MK2 tensiometer. The accuracy of the surface tension measurements was checked by employing the Wilhelmy plate and the du Noüy ring methods in parallel. The combined standard uncertainty associated with the Wilhelmy plate method is estimated to be ±0.1 mN · m⁻¹. The density data were obtained using buoyancy method with an estimated standard uncertainty less then ±0.4 kg · m⁻³ (3 · 10⁻⁴ϱ). The chloride anions decrease the density of the tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphates of interest up to six times more effectively than they decrease the density of the imidazolium based tetrafluoroborates. A QSPR analysis of the surface tension of imidazolium based ionic liquids with BF₄, TFA, DCA, FAP, NTf₂, and PF₆ anions indicates, that the FAP ionic liquids fit well into the analyzed group of imidazolium based ionic liquids while those having hexafluorophosphate anion show anomalously high deviations of the experimental surface tension from the values predicted by the QSPR model.     

Effect of alkyl chain length and temperature on the thermodynamic properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions at different temperatures

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Rmim][Br], R = propyl (C₃), hexyl (C₆), heptyl (C₇), and octyl (C₈)) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and experimental measurements of density and speed of sound at different temperatures ranging from (288.15 to 308.15) K for their aqueous and methanolic solutions in the dilute concentration region (0.01 to 0.30) mol · kg^?1 were taken. The values of the compressibilities, expansivity and apparent molar properties for [C_nmim][Br] in aqueous and methanolic solutions were determined at the investigated temperatures. The obtained apparent molar volumes and apparent molar isentropic compressibilities were fitted to the Redlich–Mayer and the Pitzer’s equations from which the corresponding infinite dilution molar properties were obtained. The values of the infinite dilution molar properties were used to obtain some information about solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The thermodynamic properties of investigated ionic liquids in aqueous solutions have been compared with those in methanolic solutions. Also, the comparison between thermodynamic properties of investigated solutions and those of electrolyte solutions, polymer solutions, cationic surfactant solutions and tetraalkylammonium salt solutions have been made.     

Prospects for a widely applicable reference potential scale in ionic liquids based on ideal reversible reduction of the cobaltocenium cation

Oxidation of ferrocene, Fe(cp)₂ or reduction of the cobaltocenium cation, [Co(cp)₂]⁺ represent reversible processes that are widely used to provide a voltammetric potential reference scale. However, the [Fe(cp)₂]^0/+ process has been reported to exhibit complexities which may restrict its usefulness for this purpose in ionic liquids. In this study, the reduction of [Co(cp)₂]⁺ in the ionic liquids, [bmpyr][Ntf₂], [emim][Ntf₂], and [bmim][PF₆] (bmpyr = 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium, emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, Ntf₂ = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide) is reported at macro, micro, and rotating disk electrodes. Reversible behaviour, after allowance for ohmic drop, and linear current–concentration relationships are attained over wide concentration ranges for all electrode configurations. Results support the use of the [Co(cp)₂]^+/0 process for reference potential purposes, with non-idealities of the kind reported for ferrocene not being detected.     

Surface tension measurements with validated accuracy for four 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids

Air–liquid interfacial surface tension measurements are reported on four 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C_n-mim], n = 2, 4, 6) based ionic liquids at 15 temperatures from (283 to 353) K at atmospheric pressure. To validate the accuracy of the results, the Wilhelmy plate method and the du Noüy ring method were employed in parallel, using the Kr?ss K100MK2 tensiometer. At each temperature from 29 to 44 individual readings were taken. The surface tension average values at particular temperatures are presented with the estimated overall standard uncertainty ranging from (±0.025 to ±0.1) mN · m^?1. An empirical surface tension–temperature equation has been developed describing the temperature dependence of each ionic liquid surface tension. Some details of the measurement procedure that have been found to be important in achieving the highest possible accuracy are discussed.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, structural and thermal characterizations of [(C7H6NO4)2TeBr6·4H2O]

Tellurium (IV) complexes with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate ligand were synthesized by slow evaporation from aqueous solutions yielding a new compound: [(C₇H₆NO₄)₂TeBr₆·4H₂O]. The structure of this compound was solved and refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound is centrosymmetric P2₁/c (N°: 14) with the parameters a = 8.875(5) Å, b = 15.174(5) Å, c = 10.199(5) Å, β = 94.271° (5) and Z = 2. The structure consists of isolated H₂O, isolated [TeBr₆]^2? octahedral anions and (pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate) [C₇H₆NO₄]⁺ cations. The stability of the structure was ensured by ionic and hydrogen bonding contacts (N–H?Br and O–H?Br) and Van-Der Walls interaction. The thermal decomposition of the compound was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The FTIR and Raman spectroscopy at different temperatures confirm the existence of vibrational modes that correspond to the organic, inorganic and water molecular groups. Additionally, the UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum was recorded in order to investigate the band gap nature. The measurements show that this compound exhibits a semiconducting behavior with an optical band gap of 2.66 eV.     

Toward a highly sensitive and selective indole-rhodamine-based light-up probe for Hg2+ and its application in living cells

We herein designed and synthesized a light-up fluorescent probe L1 for Hg²⁺ species, which is based on indole derivative and Rhodamine fluorophore. The new probe can show a linear response to Hg²⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity. As the Hg²⁺ concentration changed from 0 to 450 μM, the fluorescence intensity of L1 at 575 nm changed from 50 to 6181 (～120-fold). The detection limit of the probe was 5.0 × 10^?8 M. Besides, we have successfully applied L1 to monitor Hg²⁺ species in living MCF-7 cells by way of fluorescence imaging.