Efficient photolytic esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols in perhalogenated methane

Condensation of carboxylic acids and alcohols to give esters was accomplished with selectivity under photolytic conditions in 66-99% yields by use of CCl₄ or BrCCl₃ at room temperature.     

Use of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate in countercurrent chromatography

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) are molten salts that are liquids at room temperature. Their liquid state makes them possible candidates as solvents in countercurrent chromatography (CCC), which uses solvents as both the mobile and stationary phases. The study focuses on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM PF₆), an easy to synthesize and purify RTIL whose melting point is –8°C. It is shown that BMIM PF₆ behaves like a solvent of significant polarity (comparable with that of ethanol). The ternary phase diagram water–acetonitrile–BMIM PF₆ is given, because it was necessary to add acetonitrile to reduce the ionic liquid viscosity. The 40:20:40% w/w water–acetonitrile–BMIM PF₆ biphasic liquid system was found to be appropriate as a biphasic liquid system for CCC. Different aromatic solutes, including bases, acids, and neutral compounds, were injected into the CCC column to estimate their distribution constants between the ionic liquid-rich phase and the aqueous phase. The resulting K_il/w constants were compared with the corresponding literature octanol–water partition coefficients, K_o/w. The important drawbacks in the use of RTIL in CCC are clearly pointed out: high viscosity producing pressure build-up, UV absorbance limiting the use of the convenient UV detector, and non-volatility precluding the use of the evaporative light-scattering detector for continuous detection.     

Room temperature ionic liquid as a novel medium for liquid/liquid extraction of metal ions

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been used as novel solvents to replace traditional volatile organic solvents in organic synthesis, solvent extraction, and electrochemistry. The hydrophobic character and water immiscibility of certain ionic liquids allow their use in solvent extraction of hydrophobic compounds. In this work, a typical room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C₄mim][PF₆], was used as an alternative solvent to study liquid/liquid extraction of heavy metal ions. Dithizone was employed as a metal chelator to form neutral metal-dithizone complexes with heavy metal ions to extract metal ions from aqueous solution into [C₄mim][PF₆]. This extraction is possible due to the high distribution ratios of the metal complexes between [C₄mim][PF₆] and aqueous phase. Since the distribution ratios of metal dithiozonates between [C₄mim][PF₆] and aqueous phase are strongly pH dependent, the extraction efficiencies of metal complexes can be manipulated by tailoring the pH value of the extraction system. Hence, the extraction, separation, and preconcentraction of heavy metal ions with the biphasic system of [C₄mim][PF₆] and aqueous phase can be achieved by controlling the pH value of the extraction system. Preliminary results indicate that the use of [C₄mim][PF₆] as an alternate solvent to replace traditional organic solvents in liquid/liquid extraction of heavy metal ions is very promising.     

Sensitive determination of cadmium in water samples by room temperature ionic liquid-based preconcentration and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A sensitive preconcentration methodology for Cd determination at trace levels in water samples was developed in this work. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄MIM][PF₆]) room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) was successfully used for Cd preconcentration, as cadmium-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol complex [Cd-5-Br-PADAP]. Subsequently, Cd was back-extracted from the RTIL phase with 500 μL of 0.5 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid and determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). A preconcentration factor of 40 was achieved with 20 mL of sample. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained under optimum conditions was 3 ng L⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 10 replicates at 1 μg L⁻¹ Cd²⁺ concentration level was 3.5%, calculated at peak heights. The calibration graph was linear from concentration levels near the detection limits up to at least 5 μg L⁻¹. A correlation coefficient of 0.9997 was achieved. Validation of the methodology was performed by standard addition method and analysis of certified reference material (CRM). The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cd in river and tap water samples.     

Viscosity of ionic liquid mixtures of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate + CO2

The viscosities of the mixtures 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM][PF₆]) + CO₂ and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([OMIM][PF₆]) + CO₂ were measured with a rolling ball viscometer. The CO₂ mole fraction for one mixture ranged up to 0.434 and the other up to 0.447. The viscosities were measured at 293.15-353.15 K and 10-20.0 MPa. The experimental uncertainty in viscosity was estimated to be within ±3.0%. The experimental data were compared with McAllister's three-body model, which correlated with the experimental data within average absolute deviations of 5.9%.     

Selective extraction/isolation of hemoglobin with ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BtmsimPF6)

Ionic liquid was for the first time employed for selective isolation of heme-protein species. Direct extraction of hemoglobin into ionic liquid without using any concomitant reagent or extractant was carried out. Hemoglobin at the level of 100 ng μL⁻¹ could readily be quantitatively extracted into ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-trimethylsilylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BtmsimPF₆) in the absence of any co-existing extractants/additives at pH 7, at the same time; however, the other protein species do not interfere and remain in the aqueous phase. A back extraction efficiency of ca. 80% for 20 ng μL⁻¹ hemoglobin in ionic liquid phase was achieved with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution as stripping reagent. ⁵⁷Fe Mossbauer spectra and circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated that the penta-coordinated ferrous atom in hemoglobin provide a vacant or free coordinating position, which could be occupied by the cationic Btmsim⁺ moiety. The interaction/coordination reaction between the iron atom in the heme group of hemoglobin and the cationic ionic liquid moiety furnishes the driving force for facilitating fast transfer of hemoglobin into BtmsimPF₆. The present system was applied for selective isolation of heme-protein, i.e., hemoglobin from human whole blood without any pretreatment, giving rise to satisfactory results.     

Efficient esterification of carboxylic acids with alkyl halides catalyzed by fluoride ions in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids based on 1,3-dialkylimidazolinium methanesulfonate have been used as efficient reusable reaction media in the esterification of several carboxylic acids with alkyl halides catalyzed by fluoride ions. The method has wide applicability, and it is mild and green; it is useful for the protection of acids, via ester formation, for alkali labile molecules.     

A comparative study on the ionic liquid [bmim][BF4] and its solution with transient absorption spectroscopy

A detailed study was explored to compare the transient absorption spectra of the neat 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]) with its solution in water or acetonitrile. It was concluded that the excited triplet state ³[bmim]^+* was produced after 266 nm laser irradiation, and then the neutral radical [bmim] and the cation radical [bmim] ²⁺ were formed through two possible paths. The transient absorption spectra of the neat [bmim][BF₄] and its solution were similar but the reaction kinetics were different due to their different local structures such as dimeric or cluster. The energy transfer between excited [bmim][BF₄] and β-carotene further affirmed the existence of ³[bmim]^+*. And the reaction that the hydrated electron captured by [bmim]⁺ to produce [bmim] in solution was observed.     

Efficient and one-pot synthesis of novel sulfamates from carboxylic acids

Effective synthesis of novel sulfamates from various carboxylic acids has been developed in the presence of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) in mild conditions. Several acids, bases and solvents effects were investigated for one-pot synthesis sulfamates as a catalyst. Finally, triflic acid was found to possess efficiently under optimized conditions in acetonitrile. This method is easy, fair price and practical. It can be synthesized on grams and milligrams scale.     

Enhancement of Sensitivity for Determination of Phenols in Environmental Water Samples by Single-drop Liquid Phase Microextraction Using Ionic Liquid prior to HPLC

In recent years, single-drop liquid phase microextraction (LPME) has attracted great attentions, and provides some merits including rapidness, simplicity, and low cost. In general, there are two modes of LPME sampling: direct-immersed LPME (DI-LPME) and h…     

On-line ionic liquid-based preconcentration system coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for trace cadmium determination in plastic food packaging materials

A novel on-line preconcentration method based on liquid-liquid (L-L) extraction with room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was developed for cadmium determination in plastic food packaging materials. The methodology is based on the complexation of Cd with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP) reagent after sample digestion followed by extraction of the complex with the RTIL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim][PF₆]). The mixture was loaded into a flow injection analysis (FIA) manifold and the RTIL rich-phase was retained in a microcolumn filled with silica gel. The RTIL rich-phase was then eluted directly into FAAS. A enhancement factor of 35 was achieved with 20 mL of sample. The limit of detection (LOD), obtained as IUPAC recommendation, was 6 ng g⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 10 replicates at 10 μg L⁻¹ Cd concentration level was 3.9%, calculated at the peak heights. The calibration graph was linear and a correlation coefficient of 0.9998 was achieved. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by both a recovery study and comparison of results with direct determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The method was successfully applied for Cd determination in plastic food packaging materials and Cd concentrations found were in the range of 0.04-10.4 μg g⁻¹.     

Ionic liquid promoted selective oxidation of organic compounds with NaBrO3

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]Br) as an ionic liquid promoted selectively the oxidation of alkyl arenes and alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds with NaBrO₃ in excellent yields under neutral conditions at the 70°C. Among the various ionic liquids examined, the [bmim]Br exhibited the best performances with NaBrO₃. The ionic liquid can be recycled and reused for several runs without any significant loss of activity. Correspondence: Ahmad Shaabani, Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19839-4716, Tehran, Iran.     

Enrichment and sensitive determination of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites with temperature controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction prior to high performance liquid phase chromatography

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its main metabolites are important environmental pollutants and have been in the focusing center. It is of great value to develop simple, rapid, sensitive and easy to operate method for monitoring them. Present work established a novel temperature controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction method in combination with high performance liquid chromatography for the enrichment and determination of DDT and its metabolites. Proposed method used only ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₆MIM][PF₆]) for the enrichment and overcame the demerits of conventional single drop liquid phase microextraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Temperature has two functions here, one is to promote the dispersing of ionic liquid into the solution and forming infinitesimal micro-drop and increasing the chance of the analytes extracted into ionic liquid phase, and the other one is to perform phase-separation. A series of factors that would affect the extraction performance was systematically investigated and optimized. The experimental results indicated that the detection limits obtained for p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE were 0.24, 0.24, 0.45, 0.24 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The linear ranges for them were from 1.0 to 100 ng mL⁻¹, and the precisions were between 3.8% and 6.7% (n = 6). The proposed method was validated with four real-world samples and excellent results were achieved.     

Imidazolium ionic liquid-supported sulfonic acids: efficient and recyclable catalysts for esterification of benzoic acid

Several imidazolium ionic liquid（IL）-supported sulfonic acids with different anions,[C₃SO₃Hmim]HSO₄,[C₃SO₃Hmim]BF₄, [C₃SO₃ Hmim]PF₆,and[C₃SO₃Hmim]CF₃SO₃,were synthesized and applied as catalysts for esterification reaction of benzoic acid. The experimental results indicate that imidazolium IL-supported sulfonic acid containing anion of HSO₄^- shows the best catalytic activity.Only when less[C₃SO₃Hmim]HSO₄（0.3 equiv.） applied,was the product obtained with high yield of 97%.Furthermore, the produced esters could be separated by decantation,and the catalyst could be reused after the removal of water.     

Excess thermodynamic properties of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone from T = (298.15 to 323.15) K at atmospheric pressure

Density (ρ), refractive index (n_D) and speed of sound (u) values are measured for the binary mixture of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone over the entire range of mole fraction at temperatures from T = (298.15 to 323.15) K under atmospheric pressure. Using the basic experimental data, various acoustic and excess thermodynamic parameters are calculated and are discussed in terms of molecular interactions between the present investigated binary system. The excess values are fitted to Redlich–Kister polynomial equation to estimate the binary coefficients and standard deviation between the experimental and calculated values. Further, the molecular interactions in the binary mixture system are analysed using the experimental FT-IR spectrum recorded at room temperature.     

Effective esterification of carboxylic acids using (6-oxo-6H-pyridazin-1-yl)phosphoric acid diethyl ester as novel coupling agents

(6-Oxo-6H-pyridazin-1-yl)phosphoric acid diethyl esters (3) are efficient and selective coupling agents for equimolar esterification of carboxylic acids and alcohols. Esterification of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids with aliphatic and aromatic alcohols using 3 afforded the corresponding esters chemoselectively in good to excellent yield.     

GC—MS analysis of carboxylic acids in petroleum after esterification with fluoroalcohols

The GC–MS characteristics of carboxylic acid esters prepared from fluorine-containing alcohols were compared to those of methyl esters. The GC retention of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (TFE) esters was less than, and 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butyl (HFB) esters was approximately equivalent to that of methyl esters. Mass spectra of TFE and HFB aliphatic esters show significantly more intense molecular and key fragment ions than those of methyl esters. Also, owing to their significantly higher molecular weights, TFE or HFB ester molecular ions and most fragment ions of interest occur at significantly higher m/z values than most potential interfering ions. Data for about 70 individual TFE and HFB esters are reported. Application of the methodology to a petroleum-derived carboxylic acid concentrate resulted in identification of straight chain, isoprenoid, methyl-substituted straight chain (2-, 3-, 5-,10-, 12-positions along chain), and dimethyl-substituted straight chain acids containing from 11 to 22 carbons. Benzoic acid and homologs with up to 3-carbons in alkyl substitutents were minor components in the sample. The procedure provided for forming TFE and HFB esters from free acids requires less time and effort than a previously reported method, while retaining its capability for achieving essentially quantitative conversion. Free hydroxyl groups in alcohols and phenols are converted to trifluoroacetate esters concurrently with formation of TFE/HFB carboxylic acid esters. The reaction products, including compounds with two functional groups (diacids, salicylic acid, etc.), chromatograph well on conventional nonpolar GC stationary phases.     

T3P-assisted esterification and amidation of phosphinic acids

A few phosphinic acids, such as phenylphosphinic acids, 1-hydroxy-3-phospholene 1-oxides and 1-hydroxyphospholane oxides are esterified with simple alcohols in the presence of propylphosphonic anhydride (T3P^®). If 1.1 equiv of the T3P^® reagent is used, the esterifications are fast and efficient at 25° C. In the case of more reactive models it was enough to apply 0.66 equiv of T3P^® at 85° C under microwave conditions. The amidation of 1-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-phospholene oxide could also be accomplished under similar conditions.     

Application of zirconium-modified silica gel as a stationary phase in the ion-exclusion chromatography of carboxylic acids II. Separation of aliphatic carboxylic acids with pyromellitic acid as eluent and with suppressed conductimetric detection

The application of zirconium-modified silica gels (Zr-Silica) as stationary phases for ion-exclusion chromatography with conductimetric detection (IEC–CD) for C₁–C₈ aliphatic carboxylic acids (formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, caproic, heptanoic and caprylic acids) was carried out using pyromellitic acid as the eluent. Zr-Silicas were prepared by the reaction of the silanol group on the surface of silica gel with zirconium tetrabutoxide [Zr(OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃)₄] in ethanol solution. An ASRS-Ultra anion self-regenerating suppressor in the K⁺ form was used for the enhancement of conductimetric detector response of these aliphatic carboxylic acids. A Zr-Silica adsorbed on 10 mg zirconium g⁻¹ silica gel was the most suitable stationary phase in IEC–CD for the separation of these aliphatic carboxylic acids. Excellently simultaneous separation and highly sensitive detection for these aliphatic carboxylic acids were achieved in 25 min by IEC–CD with the Zr-Silica column (250×4.6 mm I.D.) and a 0.2 mM pyromellitic acid containing 0.15% heptanol as the eluent.     

Evidence of change in the molecular organization of 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid solutions with the addition of water

Physico-chemical properties of ionic liquids like density, viscosity, conductivity, surface tension and excess molar volume are strongly dependent on their concentration in aqueous solutions. 1-n-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/water solutions, at 25 °C, shows two clearly distinguished behaviors, corresponding to a water-rich and a salt-rich region, with distinct physico-chemical properties. It is shown that [BMIm][BF₄] exhibits surfactant properties. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the interactions between cations and anions of the ionic liquid and the water molecule. IR studies show that the addition of water modifies the organization of the ionic liquid molecules. The data collection reported is helpful for a variety of different technological applications and in particular for electrochemical applications, as capacitors, batteries and fuel cells among others.