Dynamics of solvation and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 in ionic liquid confined nanometer-sized microemulsions

The effects of confinement of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate on solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) in Triton X-100/cyclohexane microemulsions have been explored using steady-state and picosecond time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The steady-state and rotational relaxation data indicate that C-153 molecules are incorporated in the core of the microemulsions. The average rotational relaxation time increases with increase in w ([bmim][BF(4)]/[TX-100]) values. The solvent relaxation in the core of the microemulsion occurs on two different time scales and is almost insensitive to the increase in w values. The solvent relaxation is retarded in the pool of the microemulsions compared to the neat solvent. Though, the retardation is very small compared to several-fold retardation of the solvation time of the conventional solvent inside the pool of the microemulsions.     

Solvation and rotational dynamics of coumarin 153 in ionic liquids: comparisons to conventional solvents

Steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy with 25 ps resolution are used to measure equilibrium and dynamic aspects of the solvation of coumarin 153 (C153) in a diverse collection of 21 room-temperature ionic liquids. The ionic liquids studied here include several phosphonium and imidazolium liquids previously reported as well as 12 new ionic liquids that incorporate two homologous series of ammonium and pyrrolidinium cations. Steady-state absorption and emission spectra are used to extract solvation free energies and reorganization energies associated with the S0 <--> S1 transition of C153. These quantities, especially the solvation free energy, vary relatively little in ionic liquids compared to conventional solvents. Some correlation is found between these quantities and the mean separation between ions (or molar volume). Time-resolved anisotropies are used to observe solute rotation. Rotation times measured in ionic liquids correlate with solvent viscosity in much the same way that they do in conventional polar solvents. No special frictional coupling between the C153 and the ionic liquid solvents is indicated by these times. But, in contrast to what is observed in most low-viscosity conventional solvents, rotational correlation functions in ionic liquids are nonexponential. Time-resolved Stokes shift measurements are used to characterize solvation dynamics. The solvation response functions in ionic liquids are also nonexponential and can be reasonably represented by stretched-exponential functions of time. The solvation times observed are correlated with the solvent viscosity, and the much slower solvation in ionic liquids compared to dipolar solvents can be attributed to their much larger viscosities. Solvation times of the majority of ionic liquids studied appear to follow a single correlation with solvent viscosity. Only liquids incorporating the largest phosphonium cation appear to follow a distinctly different correlation.     

Dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 in room-temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate confined in Brij-35 micelles: a picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic study

The dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) in ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) and in the ionic liquid confined in Brij-35 micellar aggregates have been investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We observed slower dynamics in the presence of micellar aggregates as compared to the pure IL. However, the slowing down in the solvation time on going from neat IL to IL-confined micelles is much smaller compared to that on going from water to water-confined micellar aggregates. The increase in solvation and rotational time in micelles is attributed to the increase in viscosity of the medium. The slow component is assumed to be dependent on the viscosity of the solution and involves large-scale rearrangement of the anions and cations while fast component is assumed to originate from the initial response of the anions during excitation. The slow component increases due to the increase in the viscosity of the medium and increase in fast component is probably due to the hydrogen bonding between the anions and polar headgroup of the surfactant. The dynamics of solvent relaxation was affected to a small extent due to the micelle formation.     

Interaction of ionic liquid with water in ternary microemulsions (Triton X-100/water/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) probed by solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 and coumarin 151

The interaction of ionic liquid with water in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6])/Triton X-100 (TX-100)/H2O ternary microemulsions, i.e., "[bmim][PF6]-in-water" microregions of the microemulsions, has been studied by the dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 (C-153) and coumarin 151 (C-151). The variation of the time constants of solvent relaxation of C-153 is very small with an increase in the [bmim][PF6]/TX-100 ratio (R). The rotational relaxation time of C-153 also remains unchanged in all micremulsions of different R values. The invariance of solvation and rotational relaxation times of C-153 indicates that the position of C-153 remains unaltered with an increase in R and probably the probe is located at the interfacial region of [bmim][PF6] and TX-100 in the microemulsions. On the other hand, in the case of C-151, with an increase in R the fast component of the solvation time gradually increases and the slow component gradually decreases, although the change in solvation time is small in comparison to that of microemulsions containing common polar solvents such as water, methanol, acetonitrile, etc. The rotational relaxation time of C-151 increases with an increase in R. This indicates that with an increase in the [bmim][PF6] content the number of C-151 molecules in the core of the microemulsions gradually increases. In general, the solvent relaxation time is retarded in this room temperature ionic liquid/water-containing microemulsion compared to that of a neat solvent, although retardation is very small compared to that of the solvent relaxation time of the conventional solvent in the core of the microemulsions.     

Electro-catalytic oxidative cleavage of lignin in a protic ionic liquid

Lignin is a component of lignocellulosic biomass and a promising matrix for recovering important renewable aromatic compounds. We present a new approach of electro-oxidative cleavage of lignin, dissolved in a special protic ionic liquid, using an anode with particular electro-catalytic activity. As appropriate ionic liquid triethylammonium methanesulfonate was identified, synthesised, explored for dissolution of alkali-lignin and used for electrolysis of 5 wt.% lignin solutions. As appropriate anode material, oxidation-stable ruthenium-vanadium-titanium mixed oxide electrodes were prepared and explored for their electro-catalytic activity. The electrolysis was performed at several potentials in the range from 1.0 V to 1.5 V (vs. an Ag pseudo reference electrode). A wide range of aromatic fragments was identified as cleavage products by means of GC-MS and HPLC measurements.     

Ultrafast solvation dynamics of coumarin 153 in imidazolium-based ionic liquids

The dynamic Stokes shift of coumarin 153 has been measured in two room-temperature ionic liquids, 1-(3-cyanopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, using the fluorescence up-conversion technique with a 230 fs instrumental response function. A component of about 10-15% of the total solvation shift is found to take place on an ultrafast time scale < 10 ps. The amplitude of this component is substantially less than assumed previously by other authors. The origin of the difference in findings could be partly due to chromophore-internal conformational changes on the ultrafast time scale, superimposed to solvation-relaxation, or due to conformational changes of the chromophore ground state in polar and apolar environments. First three-pulse photon-echo peak-shift experiments on indocyanine green in room-temperature ionic liquids and in ethanol indicate a difference in the inertial component of the early solvent relaxation of <100 fs.     

Effect of water, methanol, and acetonitrile on solvent relaxation and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 in neat 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

The dynamics of solvent relaxation in ionic liquid (IL)-water, IL-methanol, and IL-acetonitrile mixtures have been investigated using steady state and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We have used Coumarin 153 (C-153) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([hmim][PF(6)]) as fluorescence probe and IL, respectively. The steady-state emission spectra showed that the gradual addition of cosolvents increases the polarity of the mixtures. In neat [hmim][PF(6)] and all IL-cosolvent mixtures, solvation occurs in two well-separated time regimes within the time resolution of our instrument. A substantial portion of the solvation has been missed due to the limited time resolution of our instrument. The gradual addition of cosolvents decreases the viscosity of the medium and consequently solvation time also decreases. The decrease in solvation time is more pronounced on addition of acetonitrile compared to water and methanol. The rotational relaxation time of the probe is also decreasing with gradual addition of the cosolvents. The decrease in viscosity of the solution is responsible for the decrease in the rotational relaxation time of the probe molecule.     

Interaction of ionic liquid with water with variation of water content in 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6])/TX-100/water ternary microemulsions monitored by solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 and coumarin 490

The interaction of water with room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [bmim][PF6] has been studied in [bmim][PF6]/TX-100/water ternary microemulsions by solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 (C-153) and coumarin 490 (C-490). The rotational relaxation and average solvation time of C-153 and C-490 gradually decrease with increase in water content of the microemulsions. The gradual increase in the size of the microemulsion with increase in w0 (w0=[water]/[surfactant]) is evident from dynamic light scattering measurements. Consequently the mobility of the water molecules also increases. In comparison to pure water the retardation of solvation time in the RTIL containing ternary microemulsions is very less. The authors have also reported the solvation time of C-490 in neat [bmim][PF6]. The solvation time of C-490 in neat [bmim][PF6] is bimodal with time constants of 400 ps and 1.10 ns.     

Dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 in a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate, forming micellar structure

The solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) was investigated by picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate ([C4mim][C8SO4]). This is a typical RTIL, which form micellar structure above certain concentration of the RTIL (0.031 M). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements show that the average hydrodynamic diameter ( Dh) of a [C4mim][C8SO4]-water micelle is 2.8 (+/-0.2) nm. Both the solvent and rotational relaxation of C-153 are retarded in this micelle compared to the solvation time of a similar type of dye in neat water. However, the solvent relaxation in this ionic liquid surfactant is different from that of a conventional ionic surfactant. The slow component of the solvation dynamics in C8H17SO4Na or TX-100 micelle is on the nanoseconds time scale, whereas in [C4mim][C8SO4] micelle the same component is on the subnanoseconds time scale. The different molecular motions with different time scale is the main reason behind this difference in the solvation time in micelles composed of RTIL with other conventional micelles.     

Surface structure of a "non-amphiphilic" protic ionic liquid

The nanostructure of the ethanolammonium nitrate (EtAN)-air surface has been investigated using X-ray reflectometry (XRR), vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) and neutral impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (NICISS). The XRR data decays more rapidly than expected for a perfectly sharp interface, indicating a diffuse electron (scattering length) density profile. Modelling of the XRR data using three different fitting routines produced consistent interfacial profiles that suggest the formation of interfacial EtAN clusters. Consistent with this, VSFS reveals that the EtAN surface is predominantly covered by -CH(2)- moieties, with the -NH(3)(+) and -OH groups of the cation buried slightly deeper in the interface. The elemental profiles determined using NICISS also show enrichment of carbon relative to nitrogen and oxygen in the outermost surface layer, which is consistent with the surface cation orientation deduced from VSFS, and with the presence of EtAN aggregates at the liquid surface.     

Aryl C-glycosylation using an ionic liquid containing a protic acid

Aryl C-glycosylation of several glycosyl donors, including unprotected sugars, with phenol and naphthol derivatives in an ionic liquid containing a protic acid proceeded effectively and stereoselectively to give the corresponding aryl C-glycosides in good to high yields. Because the ionic liquid was nonvolatile, the reaction could be carried out under reduced pressure; in addition, the ionic liquid could be reused without loss of effectiveness. These features contribute to the significant advantages of this novel aryl C-glycosylation reaction.     

Physical properties of proton conducting membranes based on a protic ionic liquid

We have investigated the physical properties of proton conducting polymer membranes based on a protic ionic liquid (IL). Properties such as ionic conductivity, melting point of the polymer phase, and glass transition temperature of the liquid phase are studied as a function of IL/polymer ratio and temperature. We observe an increased thermomechanical stability of the membrane with increasing polymer content. However, there is a concomitant decrease in the conductivity with increasing polymer content. This decrease is larger than what can be expected from the dilution of the conducting IL by the insulating polymer matrix. The origin of this decrease can be caused both by the morphology of the membrane and by interactions between the polymer matrix and the ionic liquid. We find a change in the glass transition temperature and in the temperature dependence of the conductivity with increasing polymer content. Both effects can be related to the physical confinement of the IL in the polymer membrane.     

Probing the protic ionic liquid surface using X-ray reflectivity

The structure of the free liquid surface of three protic ionic liquids, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), propylammonium nitrate (PAN), and ethylammonium formate (EAF), has been elucidated using X-ray reflectivity. The results show all three liquids have an extended interfacial region, spanning at least five ion pairs, which can be divided into two parts. Adjacent to the gas phase are aggregates consisting of multiple cations and anions. Below this are layers oriented parallel to the macroscopic surface that are alternately enriched and depleted in cation alkyl chains and polar domains of cation ammonium groups and their anions, gradually decaying to the isotropic sponge-like bulk structure. The most pronounced layering is observed for PAN, driven by strong solvophobic interactions, while reduced hydrogen bonding in EAF results in the least structured and least extensive interfacial region.     

Nonaqueous lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases formed by gemini surfactants in a protic ionic liquid

The aggregation behaviors of three Gemini surfactants [(C(s)H(2s)-α,ω-(Me(2)N(+)C(m)H(2m+1)Br(-))(2), s = 2, m = 10, 12, 14] in a protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), have been investigated. The polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements are used to explore the lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) formation. Compared to the LLCs formed in aqueous environment, the normal hexagonal and lamellar phases disappear. However, with increasing the surfactant concentration, a new reverse hexagonal phase (H(II)) can be mapped over a large temperature range except for other ordered aggregates including the isotropic solution phase and a two-phase coexistence region. The structural parameters of the H(II) are calculated from the corresponding SAXS patterns, showing the influence of surfactant amount, alkyl chain length, and temperature. Meanwhile, the rheological profiles indicate a typical Maxwell behavior of the LLC phases formed in EAN.     

Dissociation pathways of protic ionic liquid clusters: Alkylammonium nitrates

Protic ionic liquids are promising candidates for many applications, including as spacecraft propellants. For both fundamental interest and understanding clustering and dissociation during electrospray‐based propulsion, it is useful to explore the dissociation pathways of protic ionic liquid clusters, as well as the factors affecting the relative contributions of each pathway to the observed MS/MS spectra. With that said, most of the published reports on ionic liquid cluster dissociation have focused on aprotic ionic liquids. The purpose of the current work is to explore the dissociation pathways (eg, loss of amine, nitric acid, or ion pair) of alkylammonium nitrates using energy‐resolved collision‐induced dissociation. Here, it was found that, in general, protic ionic liquids have multiple dissociation pathways—namely, protic ionic liquids can lose their neutralized cation (here, an alkylamine) or neutralized anion (here, nitric acid)—in addition to the ion pair dissociation familiar to aprotic salt and aprotic ionic liquid clusters. In general, increasing the basicity of the cation (here, through increasing the degree of alkylation) decreases the propensity to follow these alternative pathways. Interestingly, increasing the cluster size has a similar effect: as cluster size increases, nitric acid loss decreases. These results will help better model and design protic ionic liquids for electrospray‐based spacecraft propulsion and help provide a better understanding for the general behavior of protic ionic liquids versus aprotic ionic liquids within mass spectrometers.     

Dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin-153 in room-temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate confined in poly(oxyethylene glycol) ethers containing micelles

We have investigated solvent and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 (C-153) in room-temperature ionic liquid (RTILs) 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF(4)]) and the ionic liquid confined in alkyl poly(oxyethylene glycol) ethers containing micelles. We have used octaethylene glycol monotetradecyl ether (C(14)E(8)) and octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C(12)E(8)) as surfactants. In the [bmim][BF(4)]-C(14)E(8) micelle, we have observed only a 22% increase in solvation time compared to neat [bmim][BF(4)], whereas in the [bmim][BF(4)]-C(12)E(8) system, we have observed approximately 57% increase in average solvation time due to micelle formation. However, the slowing down in solvation time on going from neat RTIL to RTIL-confined micelles is much smaller compared to that on going from water to water confined micellar aggregates. The 22-57% increase in solvation time is attributed to the slowing down of collective motions of cations and anions in micelles. The rotational relaxation times become faster in both the micelles compare to neat [bmim][BF(4)].     

Water and a protic ionic liquid acted as refolding additives for chemically denatured enzymes

In this communication, we present the ability of water and a protic ionic liquid, triethyl ammonium phosphate (TEAP) to act as refolding additives for the urea-induced chemical denaturated state of the two enzymes, α-chymotrypsin and succinylated Con A. We show that the enzymatic activity is regained and in certain circumstances enhanced.     

Synthesis,thermal and lyotropic liquid crystalline properties of protic ionic salts

A series of protic ionic salts were synthesised by a simple acid–base reaction from various pyridine derivatives and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid in a common organic solvent and characterised in terms of their thermal and lyotropic liquid crystalline properties using various experimental techniques. All of them exhibited lyotropic liquid crystalline phases in toluene, methanol, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide and water. Their critical concentrations for the formation of biphasic solutions and concentrations for the formation of lyotropic solutions were quite broad depending on the dielectric constants of the solvents. Their lyotropic phases were identified as lamellar phases, since their textures exhibited bâtonnets, oily streaks and mosaic textures. They can potentially be used for many organic transformations, which may have implications in green chemistry.     

Solvent relaxation of a room-temperature ionic liquid [bmim][PF6] confined in a ternary microemulsion

In this paper we have reported the solvent and rotational relaxation of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) confined in tween 20/([bmim][PF₆]/water microemulsion using coumarin 153 (C-153) as probe. The most interesting feature of our experiment was that we observed an increase in solvent relaxation time with increase in R (R = tween 20-to-[bmim][PF₆] molar ratio). This is due to the fact that with increase in [bmim][PF₆] content of the microemulsions, the microviscosity of the pool of the microemulsions increases, and motion of ions of [bmim][PF₆] is hindered in the pool of microemulsions. Since motion of ions is responsible for solvation in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), solvent-relaxation time increases with increase in R.     

新型质子离子液体/硅凝胶电解质的制备及其性能

采用一步溶胶-凝胶法首次将质子型离子液体固定于纳米多孔硅骨架中,合成了表面光滑、柔软、透明的质子增强型固态复合凝胶电解质.研究表明,该凝胶电解质结合了无机硅骨架和质子离子液体的双重优点,具有高的热稳定性（〉300℃）、宽的电化学稳定窗口（〉2.8V）和优异的中低温导电性（11.25×10？3Scm？1,80℃）.可望作为一种新型固态电解质应用于先进储能器件.