Development of deep eutectic solvents applied in extraction and separation

Deep eutectic solvents, as an alternative to ionic liquids, have greener credentials than ionic liquids, and have attracted considerable attention in related chemical research. Deep eutectic solvents have attracted increasing attention in chemistry for the extraction and separation of various target compounds from natural products. This review highlights the preparation of deep eutectic solvents, unique properties of deep eutectic solvents, and synthesis of deep‐eutectic‐solvent‐based materials. On the other hand, application in the extraction and separation of deep eutectic solvents is also included in this report. In this paper, the available data and references in this field are reviewed to summarize the applications and developments of deep eutectic solvents. Based on the development of deep eutectic solvents, an exploitation of new deep eutectic solvents and deep eutectic solvents‐based materials is expected to diversify into extraction and separation.     

Advances of responsive deep eutectic solvents and application in extraction and separation of bioactive compounds

In recent years, it has been found that changing ambient conditions (CO₂/N₂, temperature, pH) can trigger a switchable phase transition of deep eutectic solvents, and such solvents are known as responsive deep eutectic solvents. In this work, we present the development history, properties, and preparation of responsive deep eutectic solvents, followed by the application of responsive deep eutectic solvents in the extraction and separation of bioactive compounds are presented. Importantly, the mechanism of responsive deep eutectic solvents in the extraction of bioactive compounds is discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of responsive deep eutectic solvents in the extraction and separation of bioactive compounds are proposed. Responsive deep eutectic solvents are considered green and efficient solvents. Some methods for extraction and separation of bioactive compounds by responsive deep eutectic solvents can increase the possibility of recycling the deep eutectic solvents, and provide higher efficiency in the extraction and separation field. It is hoped that this will provide a reference for the green and sustainable extraction and separation of various bioactive compounds.     

Application of deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of phenolic compounds from extra-virgin olive oil

A HPLC–DAD/ESI–MS method has been developed and validated for the analysis of the most representative phenolic compounds in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples using a green extraction approach based on deep eutectic solvents (DESs) at room temperature. We examined ten DESs based on choline chloride and betaine in combination with different hydrogen bond donors comprising six alcohols, two organic acids, and one urea. Five phenolic compounds, belonging to the classes of secoiridoids and phenolic alcohols, were selected for the evaluation of extraction efficiency. A betaine-based DES with glycerol (molar ratio 1:2) was found to be the most effective for extracting phenolic compounds as compared to a conventional solvent. The optimization of the extraction method involved the study of the quantity of water to be added to the DES and evaluation of the sample-to-solvent ratio optimal condition. Thirty percent of water added to DES and sample to solvent ratio 1:1 (w/v) were selected as the best conditions. The chromatographic method was validated by studying LOD, LOQ, intraday and interday retention time precision, and linearity range. Recovery values obtained spiking seed oil sample aliquots with standard compounds at 5 and 100 μg/g concentration were in the range between 75.2% and 98.7%.     

A mini review on synthesis,properties and applications of deep eutectic solvents

Organic solvents have been of great importance for many chemical synthesis, storage and separation processes. The industries and research laboratories are heavily dependent on organic solvents in bulk; are highly volatile, lipophilic, toxic and causes a number of issues to the human health and the environmental fitness. Neoteric solvents have been proposed as a better substitute to these harmful organic solvents, and scientists have come up with several neoteric solvents in the last three decades, to name a few: ionic liquids (ILs), switchable solvents, bio-based solvents and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). These neoteric solvents attract a great deal of interest from the scientific community due to plenty of possibilities, therefore, they have huge impact and novel studies are reported quite frequently on the same. In this review, we intend to focus to brief on deep eutectic solvents, about their properties, synthesis, promising applications, and how they gradually emerged from ILs and later stood out as a different class of neoteric solvent, which overcomes many shortcomings of ILs. DESs are possibly receptive synthetic compounds and their relationship based on the hydrogen bond donor or acceptor restricts their reactivity and allow to explore in different disciplines of science.     

Coupling the capabilities of different complexing agents into deep eutectic solvents to enhance the separation of aromatics from aliphatics

(Liquid + liquid) extraction of ethylbenzene from n-octane by using tetrabutylammonium bromide-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) containing pyridine, ethylene glycol, or a mixture of both complexing agents was investigated at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure. The performance of each DES was determined from the distribution ratio and selectivity values calculated using experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data of the ternary systems ethylbenzene + n-octane + DESs. The DES with only ethylene glycol had a high selectivity but a low distribution ratio, whereas the DES with only pyridine had a high distribution ratio but a low selectivity. For the other DESs, adding pyridine increased the distribution ratio, and increasing the molar ratio of ethylene glycol increased the selectivity. Generally, whenever the selectivity increased, the distribution ratio decreased, and vice versa. The nonrandom two-liquid model was used to correlate the experimental data, and the average root mean square deviation (RMSD) between correlated and experimental tie lines was 1.4%. Moreover, the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents was successfully used to predict the ternary tie lines for the studied systems with an average RMSD of 3.7%.     

Magnetic deep eutectic solvents molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective recognition and separation of protein

A novel and facile magnetic deep eutectic solvents (DES) molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the selective recognition and separation of Bovine hemoglobin (BHb) was prepared. The new-type DES was adopted as the functional monomer which would bring molecular imprinted technology to a new direction. The amounts of DES were optimized. The obtained magnetic DES-MIPs were characterized with fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), elemental analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results suggested that the imprinted polymers were successfully formed and possessed a charming magnetism. The maximum adsorption capability (Q_max) and dissociation constant (K_L) were analyzed by Langmuir isotherms (R² = 0.9983) and the value were estimated to be 175.44 mg/g and 0.035 mg/mL for the imprinted particles. And the imprinted particles showed a high imprinting factor of 4.77. In addition, the magnetic DES-MIPs presented outstanding recognition specificity and selectivity so that it can be utilized to separate template protein from the mixture of proteins and real samples. Last but not least, the combination of deep eutectic solvents and molecular imprinted technology in this paper provides a new perspective for the recognition and separation of proteins.     

Optimized extraction of bioactive compounds from Herba Artemisiae Scopariae with ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents

Ionic liquids with length of alkyl chain and different anions, deep eutectic solvents with choline chloride and 7 different hydrogen bond donors were applied as extraction additives after optimizing the extraction conditions to increase the extraction amounts of rutin, quercetin, and scoparone from Herba Artemisiae Scopariae. The extraction conditions were optimized as follows: refluxing with methanol with a solid/liquid ratio of 1:120 under 60°C for 60 min after changing the different extraction conditions of: extraction methods (dipping, ultrasonic, reflux and soxlet), extraction solvents (methanol, water and ethanol), extraction temperature (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80°C), extraction time (30, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min), extraction ratio of solid to liquid (1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:120 and 1:150). Under these optimal conditions, the best preformed extraction additive among the 7 kinds of ionic liquids and 7 kinds of deep eutectic solvents extraction additives were selected and optimized with its contraction of 0.5mg/mL. Using the most effective extraction additive, [BMIM][Br], 10275.92 µg/g rutin, 899.73 µg/g quercetin, and 554.32 µg/g scoparone were obtained. Overall, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents have potential applications as extraction additives for the extraction of bioactive compounds from nature plants.     

Green solvents from ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents to natural deep eutectic solvents

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are defined as mixtures of certain molar ratios of natural compounds such as sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and organic bases that are abundant in organisms. The melting points of these mixtures are considerably lower than those of their individual ingredients and far below ambient temperature. The first publications on the NADES concept in 2011 created a great expectation regarding their potential as green solvents that could replace conventional organic solvents in a wide range of applications. This was largely because many of the drawbacks of conventional synthetic ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs), particularly their toxicity and environmental hazards, could be solved using NADESs. Throughout the last 7 years, the interest in NADESs has increased enormously as reflected by the exponential growth of the number of related publications. The research on NADESs has rapidly expanded particularly into the evaluation of the feasibility of their application in diverse fields such as the extraction of (targeted) bioactive compounds from natural sources, as media for enzymatic or chemical reactions, preservatives of labile compounds, or as vehicles of non–water-soluble compounds for pharmaceutical purposes. Along with the exploration of these potential applications, there have been a large number of other studies related to their physicochemical features, the search for new NADESs, the research into the interactions between NADES components or with solutes, the recovery of solutes from NADES solutions, and the ways of circumventing inherent problems of NADESs such as their high viscosity and the consequent difficulties in handling them. This article contains a review of the applications of NADESs as extraction solvents, reaction media, and preservative, providing also a perspective of their future.     

低共熔溶剂的应用研究现状

低共熔溶剂是两种或多种固体或液体物质通过氢键相互作用形成的液体溶剂,其熔点明显低于单一组分的熔点。与传统离子液体相比,低共熔溶剂成本更低,制备更容易,可生物降解,具有100%原子利用率和生物相容性及无毒无害等绿色特性,这些优点使其在许多研究领域被广泛研究。本文介绍了低共熔溶剂的最新分类,综述了低共熔溶剂在电化学、气体吸收、有机合成、功能材料合成、萃取分离、药物增溶及生物质预处理中的应用,并对低共熔溶剂的未来发展进行了展望。     

基于低共熔溶剂的萃取分离技术及其应用研究进展

随着绿色化学的发展,开发和应用符合绿色化学要求的溶剂和方法备受关注。作为离子液体类似物,低共熔溶剂(deep eutectic solvent, DES)是通过氢键受体(hydrogen bond acceptor, HBA)和氢键供体(hydrogen bond donator, HBD)的氢键作用而形成的一种混合物,具有环境友好、制备简单、成本低、可生物降解等优点,在很多领域均有越来越广泛的应用。DES可以从不同样品中萃取和分离不同的目标化合物,其作为萃取溶剂具有独特的优势,可以获得较高的萃取效率且样品基质对分析过程的影响较小。在分散液液微萃取(dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction, DLLME)程序中,DES可以萃取复杂基质中的残留药物、金属离子和生物活性成分;与传统的萃取方法相比,该方法具有对有机试剂需求少,萃取效率更高等明显优势。而且,在DLLME中加入DES作为分散剂,能够加速萃取剂在样品溶液中的扩散,具有小型化、成本低等优点。相比于传统分散剂甲醇、乙腈的高挥发性、易燃性,DES的高稳定性、低毒性使其在绿色化学领域中更具有优势,应用更广。因此,DES与DLLME的结合近年来发展迅速。不仅如此,DES与固相萃取联合应用也具有广泛的应用前景,在与固相萃取小柱和搅拌棒联合应用时,DES可以作为洗脱剂,氢键供体及氢键给体的用量之比是洗脱效率的重要考察因素之一。在与磁性材料联用时,DES能与磁性多壁碳纳米管、磁性氧化石墨烯等纳米复合材料结合,通过氢键、π-π作用力和静电作用力等特异性吸附目标分析物。并且能够参与磁性凝胶和分子印迹聚合物的合成,推动磁性材料向绿色化学的方向发展,进一步拓展DES的应用。作为一类新兴的绿色溶剂,DES在化合物的萃取分离技术方面受到广泛关注,在不同的萃取技术中扮演了不同的角色,并表现出良好的性能,因此逐渐成为绿色化学领域的研究重点。该文整合了DES在萃取分离技术中的研究进展,介绍了DES的制备、性质和分类,对DES在DLLME和固相萃取中的应用进行了总结和归类,并展望了DES在萃取分离技术中的应用前景,为DES未来的应用提供参考。     

Deep eutectic solvents as green media for efficient extraction of terpene trilactones from Ginkgo biloba leaves

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs)-based ultrasonic extraction of terpene trilactones (TTLs) from Ginkgo biloba leaves was efficiently developed. Sixteen DESs were prepared, and DESs composed of choline chloride-urea (ChCl-U) and betaine-ethylene glycol (BE-EG) gave higher TTL extraction yields than the present, most efficient solvent 70% ethanol. The extraction conditions were further optimized, and the optimum conditions were as follows: taking BE-EG containing 40% (w/w) water as the extraction solvent, 1:10 of G. biloba leaves powder-to-solvent ratio, and ultrasonic treatment at 45°C and 100?W for 20?min. A total extraction yield of 1.94?±?0.03?mg/g was obtained under the optimum conditions, which indicated that 99.37% of TTLs could be extracted from the G. biloba leaves powder by a single extraction. Moreover, the polyamide resin was used to recover the TTLs in DES extracting solution, and recovery yield of 95.1% was attained. Therefore, BE-EG containing 40% (w/w) water was a potential alternative solvent for TTLs extraction from G. biloba leaves.     

Rapid extraction of bioactive compounds from gardenia fruit using new and recyclable deep eutectic solvents

The utilization of deep eutectic solvent as an alternative and environmentally friendly option has gained significant attention. This study first proposed a series of benzylammonium chloride based-deep eutectic systems for the extraction of bioactive compounds from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Through the implementation of response surface methodology, the optimal solvent was determined to be dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride–levulinic acid (1:3, mol/mol) with 35% (v/v) water, specifically tailored to extract geniposide, genipin-1-β-d -gentiobioside, crocin-1, and crocin-2 from gardenia fruits with the ratio of solid to liquid of 1:20 at 86°C for 16 min. Their total extraction yields could reach 70.6 mg/g, outperforming those obtained by other solvents and corresponding techniques. Furthermore, the eutectic system was retrieved after first-cycle extraction, and then applied in the subsequent extraction progress, yielding a consistent extraction efficiency of 97.1%. As compared to previous traditional methods, a quick, high-yielding, and green extraction procedure was achieved through simple heating settings that did not constrain the instrument. Therefore, dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride–levulinic acid could serve as a sustainable and reusable solvent for efficient extraction of natural bioactive compounds from plant-based raw materials. The application of deep eutectic solvents has demonstrated their potential as designable solvents with stronger extraction capabilities than traditional organic solvents.     

Theoretical and experimental study of new deep eutectic solvents for extraction of perfluorinated iodoalkanes

There is a lack of attention and reporting in aspects of the neutral/nonionic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and corresponding treatment mechanisms. Herein, new function-oriented deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with pyridine moiety were designed for perfluorinated iodoalkanes extraction from the oil phase. The effect of hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) functional groups on the effectiveness of targets retrieval was investigated. Moreover, different structural, quantum-chemical, solvatochromic, and statistical thermodynamics parameters were conducted, calculated, and correlated to the distribution coefficients of the studied DESs. Results showed that functional groups of HBAs significantly affected the extraction effectiveness of eutectic mixtures. The pyridine ring-based DESs with the CO group possessed the highest extraction efficiencies among the studied groups. To some extent, the extraction performances of the DES were substantially affected by the electrostatic potential extrema of the donor halogen atom and pyridine analogues. For targets with relatively short alkyl chain length, the topological indices had a positive relationship with the treatment efficacy of the DESs, and the quantum-chemical parameters of these solvents had a strong negative relationship with them. For targets with long alkyl chain length, the solvatochromic parameters of DES had a great influence on the distribution coefficients and also on the selectivity of these solvents. Furthermore, the halogen and hydrogen bonds presented cooperativity, clarifying via quantum-chemistry calculations. The synergism mechanism between them is beneficial to the extraction of perfluorinated iodoalkanes. Besides shedding light on the structure–property-performance relationships of the DESs, these findings also provided novel insights into the directional design and selection of DESs.     

New deep eutectic solvents composed of crown ether,hydroxide and polyethylene glycol for extraction of non-basic N-compounds

A new family of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) induced by small amounts of crown ether complex and formed mainly by polyethylene glycol was found.     

印迹分子聚合物结合低共熔溶剂用于山楂中咖啡酸的固相萃取

在相同的实验条件下,分别合成了以咖啡酸为模板的印迹分子聚合物和无模板分子聚合物。使用场发射扫描电镜法和吸附实验表征这两种聚合物材料的孔状结构和选择性吸附性能。然后利用印迹分子聚合物、无模板分子聚合物、C₁₈萃取小柱这3种材料结合固相萃取法纯化山楂提取物中的咖啡酸,提取率分别为3.46、1.01、1.17 μg/g。为了优化固相萃取过程,实验研究了不同洗脱剂的影响。分别利用用氯化胆碱和甘油、氯化胆碱和尿素(摩尔比均为1:2)合成出两种低共熔溶剂。甲醇与这两种低共熔溶剂分别以不同的体积比混合作为洗脱剂,用于优化咖啡酸的固相萃取过程。实验结果表明,印迹分子聚合物是一种良好的固相萃取材料;当甲醇和甘油基低共熔溶剂在体积比为3:1混合时,表现出最好的洗脱能力,得到咖啡酸的回收率为82.32%。     

Optimization of the extraction process of flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri with natural deep eutectic solvents

In recent years, natural deep eutectic solvents have been favored greatly due to their environment friendly, mild biological toxicity and simple biodegradability. Natural deep eutectic solvents gradually applied for the extracting bioactive compounds from natural products efficiently. In this study, 20 natural deep eutectic solvents were prepared and their physical and chemical properties were tested. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used to extract flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet was applied to examine two main bioactive flavonoids (orientin and vitexin). Compared with traditional solvents (water and 60% ethanol solution), natural deep eutectic solvents composed of L(-)-proline and levulinic acid (molar ratio 1:2) show a super extraction efficiency. On this basis, the response surface method was used to optimize the extraction temperature, extraction time, water contents, and solid–liquid ratio. As a consequence, the extraction temperature 60℃, extraction time 18 min, water content 14% (v/v), and the solid–liquid ratio 48 mL·g⁻¹ were chosen as the best extraction process. This study shows that natural deep eutectic solvents can effectively extract flavonoids from T. ledebouri, laying a foundation for the further application of natural deep eutectic solvents to extract bioactive compounds from natural products.     

Hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers modified by deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids with three templates for the rapid simultaneous purification of rutin,scoparone, and quercetin from Herba Artemisiae Scopariae

Different kinds of deep eutectic solvents based on choline chloride and ionic liquids based on 1‐methylimidazole were used to modify hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers with the monomer γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane‐methacrylic and three templates (rutin, scoparone, and quercetin). The materials were adopted as solid‐phase extraction packing agents, and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers modified by deep eutectic solvents had high recoveries and a strong recognition of rutin, scoparone, and quercetin in Herba Artemisiae Scopariae than those modified by ionic liquids. In the procedure of solid‐phase extraction, deep eutectic solvents‐2‐hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers were obtained with the best recoveries with rutin (92.27%), scoparone (87.51%), and quercetin (80.02%), and the actual extraction yields of rutin (5.6 mg/g), scoparone (2.3 mg/g), and quercetin (3.4 mg/g). Overall, the proposed approach with the high affinity of hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers might offer a novel method for the purification of complex samples.     

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers based on silica modified by deep eutectic solvents for the rapid simultaneous magnetic‐based solid‐phase extraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge,Glycine max (Linn.) Merr and green tea

Novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) with multiple‐template based on silica were modified by four types of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the rapid simultaneous magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) of tanshinone Ⅰ, tanshinone ⅡA, and cryptotanshinone from Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge; glycitein, genistein, and daidzein from Glycine max (Linn.) Merr; and epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate from green tea, respectively. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Single factor experiments were to explore the relationship between the extraction efficiency and four factors (the sample solution pH, amount of DESs for modification, amount of adsorbent, and extraction time). It was showed that the DES4‐MMIPs have better extraction ability than the MMIPs without DESs and the other three DESs‐modified MMIPs. The best extraction recoveries with DES4‐MMIP were tanshinone Ⅰ (85.57%), tanshinone ⅡA (80.58%), cryptotanshinone (92.12%), glycitein (81.65%), genistein (87.72%), daidzein (92.24%), epicatechin (86.43%), epigallocatechin gallate (80.92%), and epicatechin gallate (93.64%), respectively. The novel multiple‐template MMIPs materials modified by DES for the rapid simultaneous MSPE of active compounds were proved to reduce the experimental steps than single‐template technique, and increase the extraction efficiency.     

Aqueous two‐phase systems based on deep eutectic solvents and their application in green separation processes

As a new environmentally friendly separation technology, deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems are extensively applied in various fields. Herein, we review recent advances in this field and highlight the possible directions of future developments. This article focuses on the effects of deep eutectic solvent and inorganic salts on the phase equilibrium, the microstructure of deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems, the applications of deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems in separation (proteins, biopolymers, saponins, and organic acids), and removal and recovery technologies for deep eutectic solvent from aqueous two‐phase systems.     

Determination of aromatic amines in environmental water samples by deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by HPLC-UV

This study reports a deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DES-DLLME) to extract aromatic amines (4-chloroaniline, 3-nitroaniline, 2-naphtylamine) in environmental water samples before their HPLC-UV determination. The hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) was prepared by mixing bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP) as a hydrogen bond acceptor and phenol as a hydrogen bond donor. Affecting factors on the extraction of the aromatic amines were investigated and optimized. Optimum conditions were: DES type: BHHP-Ph ratio: 1 to 2; pH of solution: 8.0; DES volume: 80 µL, salt amount: 10% (w/v). Under optimum conditions, the developed method showed a wide linear range of 0.2–200 µg L^?1 (R² ≥ 0.99) with satisfactory recoveries (≥90.0%). The limit of detections (LODs) and limit of quantifications (LOQs) were in the range of 0.07–0.17 µg L^?1 and 0.2–0.5 µg L^?1, respectively. The enrichment factors were 170, 180 and 190 for 4-chloroaninile, 3-nitroaniline, 2-naphtylamine, respectively. Based on obtained results, the proposed method is straightforward, efficient, sensitive, and eco-friendly for the extracting and determining of the aromatic amines in environmental water samples.