An Efficient Intramolecular Stetter Reaction in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Promoted By Microwave Irradiation

This communication describes the first report of a microwave‐assisted intramolecular Stetter reaction using imidazolium‐type room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as solvents, with thiazolium salts and Et₃N as catalysts. The features such as good to excellent yields, shorter reaction time (5–20 min), and recyclable and reusable ionic liquid and catalyst make this method an environmentally benign and highly efficient procedure for the preparation of chromanone derivatives.     

Ionic liquids as electrolytes

Salts having a low melting point are liquid at room temperature, or even below, and form a new class of liquids usually called room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). Information about RTILs can be found in the literature with such key words as: room temperature molten salt, low-temperature molten salt, ambient-temperature molten salt, liquid organic salt or simply ionic liquid. Their physicochemical properties are the same as high temperature ionic liquids, but the practical aspects of their maintenance or handling are different enough to merit a distinction. The class of ionic liquids, based on tetraalkylammonium cation and chloroaluminate anion, has been extensively studied since late 1970s of the XX century, following the works of Osteryoung. Systematic research on the application of chloroaluminate ionic liquids as solvents was performed in 1980s. However, ionic liquids based on aluminium halides are moisture sensitive. During the last decade an increasing number of new ionic liquids have been prepared and used as solvents. The general aim of this paper was to review the physical and chemical properties of RTILs from the point of view of their possible application as electrolytes in electrochemical processes and devices. The following points are discussed: melting and freezing, conductivity, viscosity, temperature dependence of conductivity, transport and transference numbers, electrochemical stability, possible application in aluminium electroplating, lithium batteries and in electrochemical capacitors.     

Fatty acid methyl ester heterogeneous self‐metathesis in hydrophobic green solvent: Mass transfer limitations,catalyst recyclability,and stability

The role of room‐temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), [bmim][PF₆] and [bmim][Tf₂N], as reaction media regarding the catalytic activity and stability of methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) supported on ZnCl₂‐modified mesoporous Al₂O₃ has been studied for self‐metathesis of a functionalized olefin, methyl oleate. The humidity influence on the catalytic activity was probed. The catalyst recycling ability and the kinetics of the metathesis reaction using these RTILs were also investigated. It was found that the MTO‐based catalyst was efficient in viscous hydrophobic RTIL solvents. However, their high viscosity was found to increase the mass transfer limitations thus somewhat impacting the reaction kinetics. Nevertheless, better catalyst stability was reached allowing its possible recycling when used in RTIL media.     

Differential effect of tomatine and its alleviation by cholesterol on larval growth and efficiency of food utilization inHeliothis zea andSpodoptera exigua

The effect of tomatine on larval growth ofHeliothis zea andSpodoptera exigua was assessed by rearing larvae on diets with different concentrations of the chemical added. When reared from neonates, linear dose-response relationships were obtained for both species, withS. exigua being three times more sensitive to tomatine thanH. zea. Tomatine toxicity was completely alleviated inH. zea by the addition of equimolar cholesterol into the diet; however, inS. exigua some toxicity was maintained. Larvae ofS. exigua that were started on control diet were insensitive to tomatine after five days; larvae started on diet with an EC₅₀ of tomatine and then switched to control diet after five days failed to recover from toxicosis. Larval growth ofH. zea, on the other hand, was affected both at the neonate and third-instar stage, but normal growth resumed when the larvae were transferred to control diet. Tomatine had little or no affect on food consumption, assimilation, or dietary utilization of the food by third-instar larvae ofS. exigua, except at a concentration 10 times the EC₅₀. In contrast, the efficiency of food utilization ofH. zea larvae decreased with increasing tomatine concentrations. Assimilation of the food tended to increase, although not significantly, as tomatine levels increased. Food consumption ofH. zea larvae also increased when the tomatine concentration was greater than an EC₅₀. The addition of equimolar cholesterol to diets with an EC₅₀ of tomatine restored weight gain and nutritional indices values to control values. These results are related to the utility of using tomatine in host-plant resistance programs.     

Determination of Extractant Solubility in Ionic Liquids by Thermogravimetric Analysis

The high thermal stability typical of many room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is exploited as the basis of a method employing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the determination of the solubility of various metal ion extractants in these solvents. The approach is simple, applicable to extractants lacking functional groups that would permit their ready quantification by other methods, and requires only small (mg) quantities of sample. These features of the method, along with its limitations, are illustrated by the determination of the solubility of representative examples of several common extractant families, including bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and di-tert-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), in a series of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium (C_nmim⁺)-based ionic liquids.     

Stetter Reaction in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids and Application to the Synthesis of Haloperidol

Imidazolium‐type room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been used for the Stetter reaction, affording the desired 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds in good yields. Thiazolium salts and Et₃N are efficient catalysts for this reaction performed in ionic liquid. The possibility to recycle and reuse the solvent has been demonstrated, although it was not possible to recycle the thiazolium catalyst. This method was used in the total synthesis of haloperidol.     

Studies on the Extraction of Actinides Using a Solvent Containing D2EHiBA in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Unusual Extraction of the Tetravalent Ions

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Pu(IV), and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium has been studied using branched chain di(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHiBA) dissolved in different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [C_nmim][NTf₂] (where n = 4, 6, or 8). Uranium extraction (D_U) increased gradually with aqueous phase acidity for the three RTILs used in this study suggesting solvation mechanism. There was a reversal in the extraction behavior of Pu(IV) and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium using D2EHiBA dissolved in RTILs as solvents as compared to the behavior reported in the molecular diluent, n-dodecane, which shows negligible extraction of these metal ions. The extraction of Pu(IV) increased with aqueous phase acidity in different RTILs in the order: [C₈mim][NTf₂] > [C₆mim][NTf₂] > [C₄mim][NTf₂]. The distribution ratio values of these metal ions followed the order: D_Pu(IV) ≥ D_Np(IV) > D_U(VI) using D2EHiBA as extractant suggesting that RTILs can modify the extraction behavior of extractants.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Pt/C Nanocatalysts Using Room Temperature Ionic Liquids for Fuel Cell Applications

Carbon supported Pt nanocatalysts are prepared using different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as the solvent and conventional preparation techniques, based on wet impregnation methods. The Pt/C nanocatalysts are characterized by XRD, TEM, EDX, and XPS. The results of the analyses show that the Pt/C catalysts, using different RTILs as solvents, are homogeneously dispersed with a narrow size distribution. The electro‐oxidation of liquid methanol on these catalysts is investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results have shown that the Pt/C catalysts prepared using RTILs are more active than the other Pt/C catalysts prepared by the authors. Surface area measurements of the Pt metal, conducted by electro‐oxidation of preadsorbed CO, indicate that catalysts prepared using RTILs as the solvents have higher surface area. The Pt/C nanocatalysts, prepared using RTILs, exhibit enhanced activity for the methanol oxidation reaction, compared with the Pt/C catalysts prepared by the impregnation method and commercial Pt/C catalysts.     

Ecotoxicological risk profile of ionic liquids: octanol‐water distribution coefficients and toxicological data

BACKGROUND: A knowledge of the toxicity of ionic liquids (ILs) and their influence on aquatic ecosystems must be assessed before an accurate judgment of their environmental benefits and prior to their industrial application. In the present work, the overall octanol‐water distribution coefficients (D_ow) of imidazolium‐based ILs were measured using the slow‐stirring method. Biological tests were performed to establish the toxicity of some of these imidazolium‐based ILs and to relate it with the D_ow. RESULTS: The D_ow values of the ILs investigated are low and concentration dependent, indicating that these ILs, at low concentrations, will not accumulate or bioconcentrate in the environment. Moreover, it is shown that the most hydrophobic anions present higher D_ow and higher toxicity, which means lower EC₅₀ values (the concentration of IL needed to decrease the luminescence of the marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri by 50% compared with the control organism luminescence). CONCLUSIONS: A new and more accurate interpretation of the partition of ionic liquids between water and 1‐octanol is presented. The work included measurement of new D_ow data and the study of their relation with water solubility and EC₅₀ values. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of a Recombinant Escherichia coli Whole‐Cell Catalyst Expressing Hydroxynitrile Lyase and Nitrilase Activities in Ionic Liquids for the Production of (S)‐Mandelic Acid and (S)‐Mandeloamide

The conversion of benzaldehyde and cyanide into mandelic acid and mandeloamide by a recombinant Escherichia coli strain which simultaneously expressed an (S)‐hydroxynitrile lyase (oxynitrilase) from cassava (Manihot esculenta) and an arylacetonitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191 was studied. Benzaldehyde exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect on the nitrilase activity in concentrations ≥25 mM. Therefore, it was tested if two‐phase systems consisting of a buffered aqueous phase and the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐1‐pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMpl NTf₂) or 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMim PF₆) could be used for the intended biotransformation. The distribution coefficients of the substrates, intermediates and products of the reaction were determined and it was found that BMpl NTf₂ and BMim PF₆ were highly efficient as substrate reservoirs for benzaldehyde. The recombinant E. coli strain was active in the presence of BMpl NTf₂ or BMim PF₆ phases and converted benzaldehyde and cyanide into mandelic acid and mandeloamide. The two‐phase systems allowed the conversion of benzaldehyde dissolved in the ionic liquids to a concentration of 700 mM with product yields (=sum of mandelic acid and mandeloamide) of 87–100%. The cells were slightly more effective in the presence of BMpl NTf₂ than in the presence of BMim PF₆. In both two‐phase systems benzaldehyde and cyanide were converted into (S)‐mandeloamide and (S)‐mandelic acid with enantiomeric excesses ≥94%. The recombinant E. coli cells formed, in the two‐phase systems with ionic liquids and increased substrate concentrations, higher relative amounts of mandeloamide than in a purely aqueous system with lower substrate concentrations.     

Diels–Alder Reaction of Cyclopentadiene and Alkyl Acrylates in the Presence of Pyrrolidinium Ionic Liquids with Various Anions

Abstract  

The conversion and stereoselectivity of transformation to endo and exo norbornene derivatives was determined in the Diels–Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with alkyl acrylates. The reactions were carried out in the pyrrolidinium ionic liquids in the presence of metal chlorides and trifluoromethanesulfonates as the catalysts. Shorter reaction times and higher conversions of dienophile were observed in a comparison with analogous cycloadditions carried out in the presence of conventional organic solvents. A higher stereoselectivity to the endo isomer was found in the majority of cases. The ionic liquids composed of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cation (Pyrr_1.4) and various anions were used. The influence of ionic liquid anion and several metal chlorides and metal triflates used as the catalysts on the conversion was determined.     

Improved activity and stability of pseudomonas capaci lipase in a novel biocompatible ionic liquid, 1‐isobutyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

BACKGROUND: Enzymes may exhibit enhanced activity, stability and selectivity in ionic liquids, depending on the properties of the liquid. The physical–chemical properties of ionic liquids, however, may be modified by altering the anion or cation in the ionic liquid. This feature is a key factor for realizing successful reactions. In this work, a new ionic liquid, 1‐isobutyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (abbreviated as [i‐C₄mim][PF₆]), was synthesized and investigated as a novel medium for the transesterification reaction of 2‐phenylethanol with vinyl acetate catalyzed by pseudomonas capaci lipase. As contrasts, the reaction was also carried out in two reference solvents; the isomeric ionic liquid [i‐C₄mim][PF₆], 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (abbreviated as [C₄mim][PF₆]), and hexanes. RESULTS: As reaction medium, [i‐C₄mim][PF₆] was best among the three solvents. The initial reaction rate, the equilibrium conversion of 2‐phenylethanol and the half‐lifetime of the lipase in [i‐C₄mim][PF₆] medium were about 1.5, 1.2 and 3‐fold that obtained in [C₄mim][PF₆] medium, respectively. The lipase in [i‐C₄mim][PF₆] medium was recycled 10 times without substantial diminution in activity. CONCLUSION: The ionic liquid [i‐C₄mim][PF₆] has good biocompatibility, and can be used widely as green media in various biocatalysis reactions to improve the activity and stability of enzymes. Besides hydrophobicity and nucleophilicity, the spatial configuration of ionic liquids is also considered a key factor effecting the behaviour of the enzyme in ionic liquids. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ion transport properties of lithium ionic liquids and their ion gels

A new series of lithium ionic liquids were prepared by introducing of two electron-withdrawing trifluoroacetyl groups in borate salts containing two methoxy-oligo(ethylene oxide) groups in the structures. Successive substitution reactions of oligo-ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and trifluroacetic acid from LiBH₄ yielded the lithium salts, which were clear and colorless liquids at room temperature. The fundamental physicochemical properties, such as density, thermal property, viscosity, ionic conductivity, self-diffusion coefficients, and electrochemical stability, were measured. The lithium ionic liquids had self-dissociation ability and conducted ions even in the absence of organic solvents. New polymer electrolytes, named ‘ion gels’, were prepared by radical cross-linking reactions of a poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide)tri-acrylate macromonomer in the presence the lithium ionic liquid. An increase in the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the ion gels was very small even with increasing lithium ionic liquid concentration, and the T_g's were lower than that of the ionic liquid itself. The ionic conductivity of the ion gels surpassed that of the lithium ionic liquid in the bulk at certain compositions.     

离子液体-磷酸三丁酯体系分离盐湖卤水镁锂

将一种典型的室温离子液体(ionic liquids, ILs)1-辛基-3-甲基咪唑六氟磷酸盐作为替代溶剂用于盐湖卤水萃取锂。在该萃取体系中, 离子液体和磷酸三丁酯(TBP)分别用作萃取介质和萃取剂。详细考察了水相酸度、相比等因素对锂分离效率的影响。初步结果表明:与传统萃取体系相比, 该离子液体萃取体系能极大提高萃取效率。该体系最优条件包括: TBP/ILs=9/1(体积比), 相比O/A=2:1, 水相的pH萃取前不需要调节。在此条件下, 锂和镁的单级萃取效率分别为80.64%和5.30%。经过三级逆流萃取, 锂的萃取率高达99.42%。在温度为80℃, 反萃相比A/O为2的条件下, 锂和镁的单级反萃效率分别为98.78%和99.15%。反萃水相中的镁锂比(Mg/Li)降至3.03, 与初始值相比降低了93.41%。     

An electrochemical alternative strategy to the synthesis of β-lactams: Part 3 [1]. Room-temperature ionic liquids vs molecular organic solvents

Electrochemically induced cyclization of bromoamides to β-lactams has been achieved in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The use of volatile, organic solvents (VOCs) and of supporting electrolytes may be avoided. Proton exchange reaction between amide substrates and suitable electrogenerated bases gives rise to a C₄ carbanion which undergoes cyclization to β-lactam via intramolecular nucleophilic substitution (C₃-C₄ bond formation). β-Lactams have been isolated in good to elevated yields. The “non innocent” nature of the RTILs (imidazolium-based salts) is considered. Proton exchange reaction between N-dialkylimidazolium cation and EGB yielding N-heterocyclic carbene is discussed.     

Electron Microscopy Imaging Applications of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids in the Biological Field: A Review

For biological imaging using electron microscopy (EM), the use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional lengthy preparation methods. With their low vapor pressures and conductivity, RTILs can be applied onto hard-to-image soft and/or wet samples without dehydration – allowing for a more representative, hydrated state of material and opening the possibility for visualization of in situ physiological processes using conventional EM systems. However, RTILs have yet to be utilized to their full potential by microscopists and microbiologists alike. To this end, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of biological applications of RTILs for EM to bridge the RTIL, in situ microscopy, and biological communities. We outline future research avenues for the use of RTILs for the EM observation of biological samples, notably i) RTIL selection and optimization, ii) applications for live cell processes and iii) electron beam and ionic liquid interaction studies.     

Understanding the chemical reaction and mass-transfer phenomena in a recirculating enzymatic membrane reactor for green ester synthesis in ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems

The synthesis of butyl propionate in a recirculating bioreactor in room temperature ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems at 50 °C and 80 bar was studied. In these systems, α-alumina microporous membranes with immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B were coated with four different ionic liquids based on 1-n-alkyl-3-imidazolium cations and hexafluorophosphate and bis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}imide anions. Selectivity increased (reaching >99.5%) when room temperature ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems were used rather than in supercritical carbon dioxide alone. To understand the behaviour of the enzyme and the mass-transfer phenomena in these biphasic systems, the reaction was also carried out in ionic liquids and in ionic liquid/hexane biphasic systems, and the ionic liquid/hexane partition coefficients of the compounds involved in the transesterification reaction were determined. It was observed that the activity in room temperature ionic liquid/supercritical carbon dioxide biphasic systems depends on the effect of the ionic liquid media on the enzyme and the diffusional limitations across the IL-layer around the biocatalyst.     

Facile and effective promotion of β crystalline phase in poly(vinylidene fluoride) via the incorporation of imidazolium ionic liquids

In this study, a facile and efficient protocol to enhance the β‐phase content of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is developed, in which the effect of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), including [1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (bmim)][PF₆], [bmim][BF₄], [bmim][FeCl₄] and [bmim][Cl], on the crystallization behavior of PVDF is investigated. The resulting PVDF/RTIL hybrids are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, XRD, polarized optical microscopy (POM) and DSC. The FTIR spectroscopy and XRD results show that the fraction of β‐phase, F(β), is significantly enhanced by the incorporation of RTILs, specifically from 49.2% for neat PVDF to 92.6% for hybrid filled with 15 wt% [bmim][PF₆]. The analysis of the crystallization behavior based on the DSC tests reveals that the degree of crystallinity increases with incorporation of RTILs, implying that RTILs could act as directing agents to facilitate the crystallization process, which is further evidenced by the POM results. In addition, the non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics of PVDF and PVDF/RTIL composites are investigated by means of DSC and the results indicate that the addition of the RTILs significantly influences the mechanism of nucleation and growth of PVDF crystallites. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Metathesis of Fatty Acid ester derivatives in 1,1-dialkyl and 1,2,3-trialkyl imidazolium type ionic liquids

The self-metathesis of methyl oleate and methyl ricinoleate was carried out in the presence of ruthenium alkylidene catalysts 1-4 in [bmim] and [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids (RTILs) (X = PF(6) (-), BF(4) (-) and NTf(2) (-)) using the gas chromatographic technique. Best catalytic performance was obtained in [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids when compared with [bmim][X] type ionic liquids. Catalyst recycling studies were also carried out in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with catalysts 1-4 in order to explore their possible industrial application.     

Ionic Liquid Extractants in Molecular Diluents: Extraction Behavior of Plutonium (IV) in 1,3-Diketonate Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) containing β-diketonate anions have been prepared and studied for the extraction of ²³⁹Pu(IV), ²³³U(VI), and ²⁴¹Am(III) from nitric acid medium. The ionic liquids such as alkylquaternaryammonium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (R₄NTTA), and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (amimTTA), with methyl, butyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl moieties have been prepared and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nmr and IR spectroscopy. The distribution ratio of plutonium(IV) (D _Pu(IV)) in a solution of tri-n-octylmethylammonium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (TOMATTA) present in tri-n-octylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TOMANTf₂) and amimTTA in amimNTf₂ was studied as a function of various parameters. The unique property of β-diketonate ionic liquids, namely, the miscibility in molecular diluents, was exploited to elucidate the mechanism of Pu(IV) extraction in these ionic liquids.