Ionic liquids: solvents and sorbents in sample preparation

The applications of ionic liquids (ILs) and IL‐derived sorbents are rapidly expanding. By careful selection of the cation and anion components, the physicochemical properties of ILs can be altered to meet the requirements of specific applications. Reports of IL solvents possessing high selectivity for specific analytes are numerous and continue to motivate the development of new IL‐based sample preparation methods that are faster, more selective, and environmentally benign compared to conventional organic solvents. The advantages of ILs have also been exploited in solid/polymer formats in which ordinarily nonspecific sorbents are functionalized with IL moieties in order to impart selectivity for an analyte or analyte class. Furthermore, new ILs that incorporate a paramagnetic component into the IL structure, known as magnetic ionic liquids (MILs), have emerged as useful solvents for bioanalytical applications. In this rapidly changing field, this Review focuses on the applications of ILs and IL‐based sorbents in sample preparation with a special emphasis on liquid phase extraction techniques using ILs and MILs, IL‐based solid‐phase extraction, ILs in mass spectrometry, and biological applications.     

Magnetic ionic liquids in analytical chemistry: A review

Magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) have recently generated a cascade of innovative applications in numerous areas of analytical chemistry. By incorporating a paramagnetic component within the cation or anion, MILs exhibit a strong response toward external magnetic fields. Careful design of the MIL structure has yielded magnetoactive compounds with unique physicochemical properties including high magnetic moments, enhanced hydrophobicity, and the ability to solvate a broad range of molecules. The structural tunability and paramagnetic properties of MILs have enabled magnet-based technologies that can easily be added to the analytical method workflow, complement needed extraction requirements, or target specific analytes. This review highlights the application of MILs in analytical chemistry and examines the important structural features of MILs that largely influence their physicochemical and magnetic properties.     

Magnetic graphene oxide modified by imidazole‐based ionic liquids for the magnetic‐based solid‐phase extraction of polysaccharides from brown alga

Magnetic graphene oxide was modified by four imidazole‐based ionic liquids to synthesize materials for the extraction of polysaccharides by magnetic solid‐phase extraction. Fucoidan and laminarin were chosen as the representative polysaccharides owing to their excellent pharmaceutical value and availability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to characterize the synthesized materials. Single‐factor experiments showed that the extraction efficiency of polysaccharides was affected by the amount of ionic liquids for modification, solid–liquid ratio of brown alga and ethanol, the stirring time of brown alga and ionic liquid‐modified magnetic graphene oxide materials, and amount of 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole chloride modified magnetic graphene oxide materials added to the brown alga sample solution. The results indicated that 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole chloride modified magnetic graphene oxide possessed better extraction ability than graphene oxide, magnetic graphene oxide, and other three ionic‐liquid‐modified magnetic graphene oxide materials. The highest extraction recoveries of fucoidan and laminarin extracted by 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole chloride modified magnetic graphene oxide were 93.3 and 87.2%, respectively. In addition, solid materials could be separated and reused easily owing to their magnetic properties.     

Synthesis of cyano-bridged magnetic nanoparticles using room-temperature ionic liquids

A principally new exploit of ionic liquids as an alternative reaction medium in the synthesis of cyano-bridged coordination-polymer nanoparticles is reported. Stable colloid solutions containing nanoparticles of cyano-bridged molecule-based magnets, M)[Fe(CN)6]2/[RMIM][BF4] (M2+=Ni, Cu, Co) and Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3/[RMIM][BF4] (R=1-butyl (BMIM), 1-decyl (DMIM)), were prepared in the corresponding 1-R-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [RMIM][BF4], which acts as both a stabilising agent and a solvent. By varying the length of the N-alkyl chain on the imidazolium cation of [RMIM]+ and the temperature, the growing process can be controlled to produce nanoparticles of different sizes. By studying the magnetic properties of frozen colloids it is shown that the relaxation of magnetisation is strongly influenced by interparticle interactions, which leads to the appearance of spin-glass-like dynamics in these systems.     

Correlating backbone‐to‐backbone distance to ionic conductivity in amorphous polymerized ionic liquids

The morphology and ionic conductivity of poly(1‐n‐alkyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium)‐based homopolymers polymerized from ionic liquids were investigated as a function of the alkyl chain length and counterion type. In general, X‐ray scattering showed three features: (i) backbone‐to‐backbone, (ii) anion‐to‐anion, and (iii) pendant‐to‐pendant characteristic distances. As the alkyl chain length increases, the backbone‐to‐backbone separation increases. As the size of counterion increases, the anion‐to‐anion scattering peak becomes apparent and its correlation length increases. The X‐ray scattering features shift to lower angles as the temperature increases due to thermal expansion. The ionic conductivity results show that the glass transition temperature (T_g) is a dominant, but not exclusive, parameter in determining ion transport. The T_g‐independent ionic conductivity decreases as the backbone‐to‐backbone spacing increases. Further interpretation of the ionic conductivity using the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation enabled the correlation between polymer morphology and ionic conductivity, which highlights the importance of anion hoping between adjacent polymer backbones. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Recent progress of task‐specific ionic liquids in chiral resolution and extraction of biological samples and metal ions

Ionic liquids have been functionalized for modern applications. The functional ionic liquids are also called task‐specific ionic liquids. Various task‐specific ionic liquids with certain groups have been constructed and exploited widely in the field of separation. To take advantage of their properties in separation science, task‐specific ionic liquids are generally used in techniques such as liquid–liquid extraction, solid‐phase extraction, gas chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. This review mainly covers original research papers published in the last five years, and we will focus on task‐specific ionic liquids as the chiral selectors in chiral resolution and as extractant or sensor for biological samples and metal ion purification.     

Microwave‐assisted preparation of poly(ionic liquids)‐modified polystyrene magnetic nanospheres for phthalate esters extraction from beverages

The fabrication of novel poly(ionic liquids)‐modified polystyrene (PSt) magnetic nanospheres (PILs‐PMNPs) by a one‐pot miniemulsion copolymerization reaction was achieved through an efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis method. The morphology, structure, and magnetic behavior of the as‐prepared magnetic materials were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, etc. The magnetic materials were utilized as sorbents for the extraction of phthalate esters (PAEs) from beverage samples followed by high‐performance ultrafast liquid chromatography analysis. Significant extraction parameters that could affect the extraction efficiencies were investigated particularly. Under optimum conditions, good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 0.5–50 (dimethyl phthalate), 0.3–50 (diethyl phthalate), 0.2–50 (butyl benzyl phthalate), and 0.4–50 μg/L (di‐n‐butyl phthalate), with correlation coefficients R ² > 0.9989. Limits of detection were in the range 125–350 pg. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine PAEs from beverage samples with satisfactory recovery ranging from 77.8 to 102.1% and relative standard deviations ranging from 3.7 to 8.4%. Comparisons of extraction efficiency with PSt‐modified MNPs as sorbents were performed. The results demonstrated that PILs‐PMNPs possessed an excellent adsorption capability toward the trace PAE analytes.     

吡啶类离子液体在汽油萃取脱硫中的应用研究

利用合成的六种吡啶类离子液体,N-丁基吡啶硝酸盐离子液体([BPy]NO3),N-乙基吡啶硝酸盐离子液体([EPy]NO3),N-丁基吡啶四氟硼酸盐离子液体([BPy]BF4),N-乙基吡啶四氟硼酸盐离子液体([EPy]BF4)、N-乙基吡啶乙酸盐([EPy]Ac)、N-丁基吡啶乙酸盐([BPy]Ac),进行了汽油萃取脱硫的应用研究。结果表明,[BPy]BF4的脱硫效果最好,[EPy]BF4的脱硫效果最差。[BPy]BF4对模型化合物单程脱硫率达到45.5％,可以有效地脱除汽油中的含硫化合物,使用过的离子液体可以通过真空加热或用四氯化碳反萃取再生。     

Superacid cyclization of certain aliphatic sesquiterpene derivatives in ionic liquids

Superacid cyclization was demonstrated for the first time to be successful in those ionic liquids with functional groups that are stable in the reaction medium using aliphatic sesquiterpene derivatives as examples. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 354–356, July–August, 2006.     

Facile enantioseparation and recognition of mandelic acid and its derivatives in self‐assembly interaction with chiral ionic liquids

Mandelic acid and its derivatives are important medical intermediates in the pharmaceutical industry. Different stereoisomers exhibited distinct biological properties to human bodies. Given that, enantioselective recognition and separation of mandelic acid are of great importance. In this study, four novel different types of chiral ionic liquids bearing designed functional groups were synthesized and successful enantioselective precipitation with mandelic acid and its derivatives. That is, (R, R)‐chiral ionic liquid 1 can coprecipitated with S‐mandelic acid and its derivatives was observed. In addition, good correlation coefficient is achieved by using electrospray mass spectrum at negative ion pattern for quick analysis of the enantioselective precipitation, which could be served as a method of enantioselective recognition. The possible intermolecular interactions are established after systematical studies by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.     

Electrochemical polymerization of imidazolum‐ionic liquids bearing a pyrrole moiety

A series of imidazolium‐based ionic liquid monomers bearing a terminal pyrrole moiety were synthesized and electrochemically polymerized. It is found that the polymerizability of the synthesized ionic liquids is strongly dependent on the type of the counteranions. Although bromide monomer is not polymerizable, well‐defined polymeric films can be formed on various substrates in the cases of flour‐containing anions (BF₄^?, PF₆^?). The performed characterizations show that all resulting polypyrrole films are electroactive, and the imidazolium‐based ionic liquid moieties are correctly incorporated in polymer films during the electropolymerization process. This work not only provides a facile new method to immobilize ionic liquids on solid surface. Interestingly, without use of any template unique “knit” morphology and nanostructure, even hierarchical structures could also be produced by the electropolymerization of these new functionalized pyrrole monomers. We found that the properties of the pendant ionic liquid units on the surface of the formed polymer films preserved, and by simple anion exchange their surface energy and tension could be easily tuned without loss of the electrical, optical properties, and morphology of the polypyrrole films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4151–4161, 2008     

Screening of ionic liquids for extraction of flavonoids from heather

Room temperature ionic liquids are novel solvents with the specific properties that makes them of interest for application for extraction for a wide range of compounds. In this work extraction efficiency of flavonoids from heather flowers using ionic liquids based on imidazolium cation were evaluated and compared with organic solvents. It was found that the anion of ionic liquid significantly influence the extraction yields. Flavonoid content as well as antioxidant activity based on radical scavenging on 1,1-diphenul-2-pirylhydrazyl radicals and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity increased in the order: [Bmim]PF₆ < [Bmim]BF₄ < [Bmim]Cl. The obtained extraction yield using [Bmim]Cl were higher than reported for 60% ethanol and ethyl acetate under similar conditions, thus, may be helpful for better utilization of heather flowers as the potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.     

Synthesis of methyl orange using ionic liquids

Two ionic liquids were synthesized, each system consisting of the 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ion ([hmim]⁺) as the cation and either hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻), or perchlorate ([ClO₄]⁻) as the anions. This study involves the synthesis of methyl orange (4-[[(4-dimethylamino)phenyl]-azo] benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt) using the ionic liquids as replacement solvents for the reaction. The advantage of using ionic liquids as substitutes for organic solvents includes: recyclable/reclaimable solvents, stabilization of intermediates and higher product yields. The 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium derivatives can be used for syntheses conducted at low temperatures and are less toxic than typical organic solvents.     

Non-haloaluminate room-temperature ionic liquids in electrochemistry--a review.

Some twenty-five years after they first came to prominence as alternative electrochemical solvents, room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are currently being employed across an increasingly wide range of chemical fields. This review examines the current state of ionic liquid-based electrochemistry, with particular focus on the work of the last decade. Being composed entirely of ions and possesing wide electrochemical windows (often in excess of 5 volts), it is not difficult to see why these compounds are seen by electrochemists as attractive potential solvents. Accordingly, an examination of the pertinent properties of ionic liquids is presented, followed by an assessment of their application to date across the various electrochemical disciplines, concluding with an outlook viewing current problems and directions.     

Preparation and characterization of functionalized precipitated silica SYLOID® 244 using ionic liquids as modifiers

Studies were performed on the chemical modification of SYLOID^® 244 (Grace) precipitated silica using ionic liquids. The unmodified and ionic‐liquid‐functionalized silica were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical and dispersive evaluation. Particle size, polydispersity and specific surface area (BET) and porous structure were examined. Moreover, stability of the colloids obtained was evaluated by estimation of isoelectric points. The extent of modification and its type were defined using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ²⁹Si‐cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning/nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The modification was not observed to deteriorate the dispersive properties of the silica. The silicas obtained exhibited a restricted tendency to form larger accumulations of particles, i.e. aggregates and agglomerates. Moreover, application of ionic liquids with a heptyloxymethyl or octyloxymethyl substituent resulted in complete hydrophobization of the silica surface. Tested powders manifested the highest stability within a pH range of 10–12. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dendronized supramolecular polymers self‐assembled from dendritic ionic liquids

The synthesis, structural, and retrostructural analysis of a library of self‐assembling dendrons containing triethyl and tripropyl ammonium, pyridinium and 3‐methylimidazolium chloride, tetrafluoroborate, and hexafluorophosphate at their apex are reported. These dendritic ionic liquids self‐assemble into supramolecular columns or spheres which self‐organize into 2D hexagonal or rectangular and 3D cubic or tetragonal liquid crystalline and crystalline lattices. Structural analysis by X‐ray diffraction experiments demonstrated the self‐assembly of supramolecular dendrimers containing columnar and spherical nanoscale ionic liquid reactors segregated in their core. Both in the supramolecular columns and spheres the noncovalent interactions mediated by the ionic liquid provide a supramolecular polymer and therefore, these assemblies represent a new class of dendronized supramolecular polymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4165–4193, 2009     

离子液体催化改质稠油实验研究

研究了离子液体对稠油黏度、组成和平均分子量的影响。结果表明,离子液体对稠油具有较好的改质降黏作用。稠油经离子液体处理后,其饱和烃、芳香烃、胶质质量分数增加,沥青质质量分数明显下降,从而导致稠油的黏度降低,平均分子量减小。研究结果还表明,过渡金属盐改性离子液体对稠油的改质具有催化作用。     

Exploration of amino‐functionalized ionic liquids as ligand and base for Heck reaction

A kind of amino‐functionalized ionic liquid has been prepared and investigated as ligand and base for the Heck reactions between aryl iodides and bromides with olefins in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd submicron powder in [Bmim]PF₆. The reactions generated the corresponding products in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. The generality of this catalytic system to the different substrates also gave satisfactory results. The key feature of the reaction is that Pd species and ionic liquids were easily recovered and reused six times with constant activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mukaiyama aldol reaction using ketene silyl acetals with carbonyl compounds in ionic liquids

Mukaiyama aldol reactions using ketene silyl acetals with various aldehydes proceed smoothly in ionic liquids to afford the corresponding aldol products in moderate yields.