Optical and diffractive studies of pyridinium-based ionic liquids

Electronic absorption, steady-state fluorescence spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns for several pyridinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) (1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-octyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate and 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium dicyanamide) have been obtained. A systematic study has been performed for different ILs in terms of structural characteristics obtaining remarkable results. The present characterisation, centre of attention in theoretical and practical fields, leads to understand the complex behaviour of such compounds and is an essential step for their potential development as new solvents in extended applications.     

Surface active and aggregation behavior of methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids of type [Cnmim] [X], n?=?4, 6, 8 and [X]?=?Cl?, Br?, and I? in water

The surface active and aggregation behavior of ionic liquids of type [C _n mim][X] (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (mim) halides), where n = 4, 6, 8 and [X] = Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ was investigated by using three techniques: surface tension, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). A series of parameters including critical aggregation concentrations (CAC), surface active parameters and thermodynamic parameters of aggregation were calculated. The ¹H NMR chemical shifts and SANS measurements reveal no evidence of aggregates for the short-chain 1-butylmim halides in water and however small oblate ellipsoidal shaped aggregates are formed by ionic liquids with 1-hexyl and 1-octyl chains. Analysis of SANS data analysis at higher concentrations of [C₈mim][Cl] showed that the microstructures consist of cubically packed molecules probably through π–π and hydrogen bond interactions.     

Estimates of Internal Pressure and Molar Refraction of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids as a Function of Temperature

Estimates of the internal pressure (∂ U/∂ V) _T of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF₆], and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [OMIM][BF₄] were made from experimentally determined densities and speeds of sound in the temperature range 283.15 to 343.15 K. Values (∂ U/∂ V) _T for all the ILs studied are higher than those of water and molecular organic liquids. We also measured the refractive indices n _D in the temperature range 288.15 to 343.15 K and estimated the molar refraction R _M. Refractive indices of ILs were also higher than those of normal organic liquids but were comparable to those of long hydrocarbon chain organic solvents.     

Influence of ionic liquids on the phase transfer-catalysed enantioselective Michael reaction

The enantioselective Michael addition of dimethyl malonate to 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one promoted by a quaternary derived ammonium salt from quinine as a phase transfer catalyst in different ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [bmim]PF₆, 1-butyl-3-methyl pyridinium tetrafluoroborate, [bpy]BF₄, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim]BF₄ as well as in conventional organic solvents was studied.     

Thermodynamic properties of binary mixtures combining two pyridinium-based ionic liquids and two alkanols

Densities and speeds of sound have been determined for the binary mixtures containing an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate or 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate) and an alkanol (methanol or ethanol) over the temperature range (293.15 to 323.15) K. Excess volumes and excess isentropic compressibilities have been calculated from density and speed of sound data and correlated. All the mixtures show negative values for these excess properties. Furthermore, the isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium has been measured at T = (303.15 and 323.15) K, and the corresponding activity coefficients and excess Gibbs functions have been obtained. In this case, positive excess Gibbs functions have been found. We have carried out an exhaustive interpretation of the experimental results in terms of structural and energetic effects taking also into account the thermodynamic information of pure compounds. Finally, in order to study the influence of both, the presence and the position of methyl group in the cation, we have compared the results of these systems with those obtained for the mixtures formed by 1-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate and methanol or ethanol.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of ionic liquids and determination of their solubility in water

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is used to detect both the cations (C⁺) and the anions (A^–) of ionic liquids (CA). In this study, the ionic liquids are diluted with aqueous methanol before injection. In addition to the main peaks of the parent ions, fragmentation products are observed upon increasing the cone voltage, whereas aggregates of the parent ion with one or more ionic liquid molecules (e.g., C(CA)_n⁺, A(CA)_n^–) are observed upon decreasing the cone voltage. The ions of several ionic liquids in a mixture are also detected and the ratios of their concentrations estimated. A method is developed to determine quantitatively the concentration of an ionic liquid in solution by using the cation and anion of another ionic liquid as internal standards. By using this method, the solubilities in water at room temperature (22±1 °C) of three typical hydrophobic ionic liquids have been determined: 0.70±0.08 g L^–1 for methyltributylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (MeBu₃NNTf₂), 6.0±0.5 g L^–1 for butylmethylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BuMePyrNTf₂), and 18.6±0.7 g L^–1 for 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF₆).     

Excess molar properties for binary systems of alkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids + nitromethane. Experimental results and ERAS-model calculations

Density, isobaric molar heat capacity, and excess molar enthalpy were experimentally determined at atmospheric pressure for a set of binary systems ionic liquid + nitromethane. The studied ionic liquids were: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate. Density and heat capacity were obtained within the temperature range (293.15 to 318.15) K whereas excess molar enthalpy was measured at 303.15 K; excess molar volume and excess molar isobaric heat capacity were calculated from experimental data. The ERAS-model was applied in order to study the microscopic mechanisms involved in the mixing process. Although the studied compounds are not self-associated, ERAS-model describe adequately the experimental results if cross-association between both compounds is considered.     

Alkylation of aromatic compounds with multi-component Lewis acid catalysts of ZnCl2 and ionic liquids with different organic cations

Alkylation of aromatic compounds with various alkylating agents such as benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol and isopropyl chloride were investigated using ZnCl₂ based ionic liquid (ILs) Lewis acid catalysts. Multi-component Lewis acid catalysts of ZnCl₂ and ionic liquids such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, 1-butylpyridinium bromide, cholin chloride and tetrabutylammonium bromide were prepared, supported on silica gel, and compared for alkylation reactions with various alkylating agents. Among the IL-based catalysts, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium-bromide-ZnCl₂ and 1-butylpyridinium bromide-ZnCl₂ are highly active.     

The Enthalpy of Solution of the Alanine-Based Ionic Liquid [C<Subscript>4</Subscript>mim][Ala]

The molar enthalpies of solution of an alanine-based ionic liquid (IL) [C₄mim][Ala], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium alanine, containing various amount of water and various molalities Δ_sol H _m(wc), were measured with a solution-reaction isoperibol calorimeter at (298.15±0.01) K, where wc denotes water content. According to Archer’s method, the standard molar enthalpies of solution of [C₄mim][Ala] containing known amounts of water, D_solH_m^o(wc)\Delta_{\mathrm{sol}}H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{o}}(\mathrm{wc}) , were obtained. In order to eliminate the effect of the small amount of residual water in the source [C₄mim][Ala], a linear fitting of D_solH_m^o(wc)\Delta_{\mathrm{sol}}H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{o}}(\mathrm{wc}) against water content was carried out, yielding a good straight line where the intercept is the standard molar enthalpy of solution of anhydrous [C₄mim][Ala], D_solH_m^o(pure IL)=-(61.42±0.08)\Delta_{\mathrm{sol}}H_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{o}}(\mathrm{pure}\ \mathrm{IL})=-(61.42\pm 0.08) kJ⋅mol⁻¹. The hydration enthalpy of the alanine anion [Ala]⁻ was estimated using Glasser’s lattice energy theory.     

Volumetric Properties of Binary Mixtures of the Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate with Aniline

The densities of binary mixtures of an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim][BF₄], with an aromatic compound, aniline, have been determined over the full range of compositions and over the temperature range 298.15 to 313.15 K at atmospheric pressure using a vibrating-tube densimeter (DMA4500). Excess molar volumes ( V_m^EV_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}} ) have been obtained from these experimental results, and were fitted by the fourth-order Redlich–Kister equation. In addition, partial molar volumes, apparent molar volumes and partial molar volumes at infinite dilution have been calculated for each component. Our results show that values of V_m^EV_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{E}} decrease slightly when the temperature increases in this system. The results have been interpreted in terms of ion-dipole interactions and structural factors of the ionic liquid and the organic molecular liquid.     

A new diastereoselective intramolecular electroreductive coupling of unsaturated β-ketoesters and β-ketoamides in ionic liquids at a tin cathode

The diastereoselective intramolecular electroreductive coupling of several β-ketoesters and β-ketoamides has been accomplished at a tin cathode in ionic liquids and isopropanol (9:1). The ionic liquids used are 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [BMIM]Br, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM]BF₄, 1-methoxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate [MOEMIM]CF₃COO and 1-methoxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium mesylate [MOEMIM]Ms. This methodology offers a clean and green process for the synthesis of functionalized carbocycles in good yields with excellent stereochemical control at three stereogenic centres.     

Solution Properties of Ternary D-Glucose + 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Ethyl Sulfate + Water Solutions at 298.15 K

The effect of an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ([EMIm]ESO₄), on the thermophysical properties of aqueous D-glucose solutions including density, viscosity, and electrical conductivity have been investigated at 298.15 K. Using these properties, the apparent molar volumes, V _φ , the viscosity B-coefficients and the molar conductivities, Λ _m, have been computed for the ternary D-glucose + [EMIm]ESO₄+water solutions. The V _φ values were used to calculate the standard partial molar volumes, V_f⁰V_{\phi}^{0}, and transfer volumes, D_trV_f⁰\Delta_{\mathrm{tr}}V_{\phi}^{0}, of D-glucose from water to aqueous ionic liquid solutions. These volumetric parameters, for all the solutions studied, are positive and increase monotonically with increasing the concentration of [EMIm]ESO₄. These observations have been interpreted in terms of the interactions between D-glucose and ionic liquid in the aqueous solution. The viscosity data were analyzed in terms of the Jones-Dole equation to determine the values of the viscosity B-coefficients. The calculated conductometric parameters, the limiting molar conductivities, Λ ₀, the association constants, K _a, and the Walden products, Λ ₀ η, for [EMIm]ESO₄, decrease with increasing concentration of D-glucose. This trend suggests that the ions of an ionic liquid do not have the same hydrodynamic size in the presence of D-glucose molecules (ILs) and consequently provides evidence for the dehydration effect of the ionic liquid in aqueous D-glucose solutions.     

Excess enthalpy,density, and heat capacity for binary systems of alkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids + water

Experimental measurements of excess molar enthalpy, density, and isobaric molar heat capacity are presented for a set of binary systems ionic liquid + water as a function of temperature at atmospheric pressure. The studied ionic liquids are 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate. Excess molar enthalpy was measured at 303.15 K whereas density and heat capacity were determined within the temperature range (293.15 to 318.15) K. From experimental data, excess molar volume and excess molar isobaric heat capacity were calculated. The analysis of the excess properties reveals important differences between the studied ionic liquids which can be ascribed to their capability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.     

(Vapor + liquid) equilibria of binary mixtures containing light alcohols and ionic liquids

This work presents (vapor + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) of binary mixtures containing methanol or ethanol and three imidazolium based ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate. VLE measurements were carried out over the whole range of composition between (283.15 and 298.15) K using a static apparatus. Activity coefficients γ_i of these solvents in the ionic liquids have been determined from the VLE data and correlated using the NRTL model. The results show that the NRTL model can be applied successfully with systems containing ionic liquids.     

Aggregation behavior of ionic liquids in aqueous solutions: effect of alkyl chain length, cations, and anions

Self aggregation of the ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C4mim][Cl], 3-methyl-1-octylimidazolium chloride [C8mim][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C4mim][BF4], N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium chloride [C4mpy][Cl], in aqueous solution has been investigated through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Aggregation properties were determined by application of mass action theory to the concentration dependence of 1H NMR chemical shifts. Aggregation properties showed fairly good agreement with the previously reported results obtained from small angle neutron scattering, conductivity, and surface tension measurements. A detailed analysis of chemical shifts of water and various protons in ILs has been employed to probe the aggregate structure. Fluorescence spectroscopy provided important information about the critical aggregation concentration (cac) and the microenvironment of the aggregates. We could also observe a break point quite consistent with that of 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy at cac from the concentration dependence of refractive index measurements. Standard free energies of aggregation DeltaGom of various ILs derived using the refractive index/concentration profiles were found comparable to those of classical ionic surfactants.     

Solute–Solvent Interactions of Amino Acids in Aqueous 1-Propyl-3-Methylimidazolium Bromide Ionic Liquid Solutions at 298.15 K

Densities, viscosities, and refractive indices of three amino acids (glycine, L-alanine, and L-valine) in aqueous solutions of an ionic liquid, 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, have been measured at 298.15 K. These data have been used to calculate apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), viscosity B-coefficients, and molar refractions of these mixtures. The standard partial molar volumes (V_f⁰V_{\phi}^{0}) and standard partial molar volumes of transfer (D_trV_f⁰\Delta_{\mathrm{tr}}V_{\phi}^{0}) have been determined for these amino acid solutions from these density data. The resulting values of V_f⁰V_{\phi}^{0} and D_trV_f⁰\Delta_{\mathrm{tr}}V_{\phi}^{0} for transfer of amino acids from water to aqueous ionic liquid solutions have been interpreted in terms of solute + solvent interactions. These data also indicate that hydrophobic interactions predominate in L-alanine and L-valine solutions. Linear correlations were found for both V_f⁰V_{\phi}^{0} and the viscosity B-coefficient with the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of the amino acids, and have been used to estimate the contribution of the charged end groups (NH₃⁺\mathrm{NH}_{3}^{+}, COO⁻), the CH₂ group, and other alkyl chains of the amino acids. The viscosity and molar refractivity results have been used to confirm the conclusions obtained from volumetric properties.     

Stereoselective synthesis of analogs of natural isoprenoids based on the reaction of alkyl 4-dialkoxyphosphoryl-3-methylbut-2-enoates with aldehydes in ionic liquids and in an imidazolium salt—benzene system

Condensation of alkyl 4-dialkoxyphosphoryl-3-methylbut-2-enoates with a number of aldehydes under the Horner—Emmons reaction conditions in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and tetrafluoroborate and in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide—benzene and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate—benzene systems was studied. The E/Z-stereoisomer ratio of the olefination products for the reaction carried out in ionic liquids was 3 : 1, which corresponds to the values attained previously in the KOH—benzene—Bu₄ ⁿNBr (cat.) system. Quantum-chemical calculations were used to determine the averaged radii (r ₀) of the [Bu₄ ⁿN] and substituted imidazolium cations by means of the Gaussian 98 program package. The stereoselectivity of olefination in the KOH—PhH—phase-transfer catalyst system decreases with a decrease in the r ₀ value for the catalyst cation. The possibility of recovery and reuse of ionic liquids is demonstrated.     

Ionic liquids as mobile phase additives in high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: Application to the determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines in meat-based infant foods

The beneficial effects of several ionic liquids (ILs) as mobile phase additives in high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for the determination of six heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) have been evaluated for first-time. The studied ionic liquids were 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIm-BF₄), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (HMIm-BF₄) and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (MOIm-BF₄). Several chromatographic parameters have been evaluated in the presence or absence of ILs, or using ammonium acetate as the most common mobile phase additive, with three different C18 stationary phases. The effect of the acetonitrile content was also addressed. In general, best resolution, lower peak-widths (up to 72.1% lower) and lower retention factors are obtained when using ILs rather than ammonium acetate as mobile phase additives. The main improvement was obtained in the baseline noise, being 360% less noisy for BMIm-BF₄, 310% for HMIm-BF₄, and 227% for MOIm-BF₄, when compared to ammonium acetate at +1000 mV. Different chromatographic methods using the best conditions for each IL were also evaluated and compared. Finally, the best chromatographic conditions using 1 mM of BMIm-BF₄ as mobile phase additive, the Nova-Pak^® C18 column, 19% (v/v) of acetonitrile content in the mobile phase, and +1000 mV in the ECD, have been applied for the chromatographic analysis of six HAs contained in meat-based infant foods. The whole extraction method of meat-based infant foods using focused microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase extraction has also been optimized. Extraction efficiencies up to 89% and detection limits ranged between 9.30 and 0.165 ng g⁻¹ have been obtained under optimized conditions.     

Catalysis of the electrochemical oxygen reduction in room-temperature ionic liquids on a pyrolytic graphite electrode by iron-containing superoxide dismutase

Catalysis of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) by iron-containing superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) is investigated for the first time using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The study is carried out in three room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), namely, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF₄), 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (PMIBF₄), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF₄). The results demonstrate that in EMIBF₄, Fe-SOD exhibits the most satisfactory catalysis for ORR, with the standard rate constant of ORR on bare PGE, k _s, increasing from 3.9 to 5.1 times 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹, while in PMIBF₄ and BMIBF₄ containing Fe-SOD k _s increases from 2.6 to 3.6 and from 1.4 to 2.2 times 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹, respectively. In addition to the increased k _s, adding Fe-SOD renders the formal potential of ORR more positive. To accelerate the electron transfer, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are employed to modify PGE, consequently, yielding the dramatically increased peak current and k _s. For MWCNTs-modified PGE in EMIBF₄ free of Fe-SOD, k _s increases from 3.9 to ∼7.1 times 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹. The ORR catalysis by Fe-SOD in the presence of Fe-SOD is also evidenced by the formal-potential shift in the positive direction. With MWCNTs accounting for the larger k _s and Fe-SOD being responsible for the formal-potential shift, the catalysis of ORR is satisfactory. Chronocoulmetry experiments proved that some Fe-SOD could be adsorbed on PGE. After analyzing the results, dismutation of superoxide anion O ₂ ⁻ by Fe-SOD is thought to be the main reason for the formal-potential shift. The different polarity of RTILs is probably partly responsible for different k _s obtained in different RTILs. Basing on an earlier proposition, the catalysis of ORR by MWCNTs in RTILs is discussed. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 9, pp. 1137–1146. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Volumetric Properties of Amino Acids in Aqueous N-methylacetamide Solutions at 298.15 K

The apparent molar volumes (V _φ ) of glycine, L-alanine and L-serine in aqueous 0 to 4 mol⋅kg⁻¹ N-methylacetamide (NMA) solutions have been obtained by density measurement at 298.15 K. The standard partial molar volumes (V_f⁰)V_{\phi}^{0}) and standard partial molar volumes of transfer (D_trV_f⁰)\Delta_{\mathrm{tr}}V_{\phi}^{0}) have been determined for these amino acids. It has been show that hydrophilic-hydrophilic interactions between the charged groups of the amino acids and the –CONH– group of NMA predominate for glycine and L-serine, but for L-alanine the interactions between its side group (–CH₃) and NMA predominate. The –CH₃ group of L-alanine has much more influence on the value of D_trV_f⁰\Delta_{\mathrm{tr}}V_{\phi}^{0} than that of the –OH group of L-serine. The results have been interpreted in terms of a co-sphere overlap model.