A Striking Effect of Ionic‐Liquid Anions in the Extraction of Sr2+ and Cs+ by Dicyclohexano‐18‐Crown‐6

Abstract

The nature of the ionic‐liquid (IL) anion has been found to have a remarkable effect on the solvent extraction of Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ by dicyclohexano‐18‐crown‐6 dissolved in ionic liquids. In particular, the extraction efficiency increases with the hydrophobicity of the IL anion as reflected by the solubility in water of ILs having a common cation. Since a cation‐exchange mechanism is operating in these systems, the influence of the IL anion is in large part attributable to an expected Le Chatelier effect in which a greater aqueous concentration of IL cation, obtained when using an IL anion of lower hydrophobicity, opposes cation exchange. This dependence is opposite to that found for IL cations, indicating a significant advantage of using ILs with hydrophobic anions for cation extraction. Furthermore, the extraction selectivity for Sr²⁺ over Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ can be significantly improved through the use of hydrophobic anions for the ILs containing 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium or 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cations.     

High-pressure solubility of carbon dioxide in imidazolium-based ionic liquids with anions [PF6] and [BF4]

The solubility of carbon dioxide in three ionic liquids (ILs) under supercritical fluid condition was measured at pressures up to 32 MPa and at temperatures of 313.15, 323.15, and 333.15 K in a high-pressure view cell. The imidazolium-derivative ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([omim][BF₄]) were employed in this research. The effects of pressure, temperature, nature of anion and cation as well as the water content on the solubility of CO₂ in the ILs were investigated experimentally. The solubility of CO₂ in the IL was higher for the ILs with longer cationic alkyl group and for the ILs with lower anion polarity. The lower the water content or the lower the temperature as well as the higher the pressure, the higher was the solubility of CO₂.     

Photoinitiated polymerization in ionic liquids: Kinetics and viscosity effects

The photo-induced polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (crosslinking and linear, resp.) in four imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) containing the same cation or the same anion in pairs is reported. The kinetic studies were accompanied by detailed viscosity measurements, which showed the occurrence of an interesting phenomenon - a viscosity synergism in monomer/IL mixtures (i.e. the viscosity of the mixture is higher than the simple additive combination of viscosities of the two components). Viscosity synergism, very important for kinetic considerations, is especially strong for ILs of low viscosity and its magnitude depends on the monomer structure. The polymerization conducted in ILs was considerably faster than in a reference solvent. The propagation rate coefficients were influenced mainly by the anion structure whereas the termination rate coefficients by viscosity of the initial monomer/IL mixture (taking into account the synergistic effect). FTIR studies showed the existence of specific interactions between the carbonyl group in the monomer and C₂-H of the imidazolium ring; the polymerization rates were directly related to the magnitude of the monomer/IL interaction.     

Room temperature ionic liquids for propyne–propylene separations: Solubility behaviors and selectivity investigation

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been discovered as very promising media for acetylene–ethylene separation. In this work, propyne and propylene solubility behaviors in dialkylimidazolium-based RTILs bearing various kinds of anions have been investigated for the feasible extraction process of propyne from propylene mixture. Solubility–molar volume relationship supported by thermodynamic analysis indicated that physical absorption mechanism plays dominantly in determining the propylene solubility. Meanwhile, unlike the acetylene solubility, which is controlled almost exclusively by hydrogen bonding interaction (chemical interaction) between the anion of RTIL and the solute, the solubility of propyne is a result from a tradeoff between chemical and physical interactions. Generally speaking, the trend of the ideal absorption selectivity for propyne over propylene is close to the acetylene–ethylene case where the higher the hydrogen bond basicity and the smaller the molar volume of RTIL results in the greater the selectivity for propyne.     

Modeling of CO2 Solubility in Selected Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids

This study explores the use of COSMO-RS model and Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state (EoS) to predict the solubility of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in specific ionic liquids (ILs). COSMO-RS was employed to estimate of CO₂ solubility at atmospheric pressure in eight imidazolium-based ILs resulting from the combination of ethyl, butyl, hexyl, and octyl-imidazolium cations with two anions: bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]) and Trifluoromethanesulfonate ([TFO]). The results indicated relatively acceptable qualitative consistency between the experimental and predicted values. The PR EoS was employed at high pressure by tuning the interaction parameters to fit the experimental data reported in the literature. The model demonstrated excellent accuracy in predicting the solubility of CO₂ at pressure values less than the critical pressure of CO₂; however, at higher pressures, the calculated solubility diverged from the experimental values. Furthermore, the type of anion and cation used in the IL affected the performance of the PR EoS.     

Ionic Liquids for Chloromethane/Isobutane Distillative Separation: Express Screening

The present study centres on room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers in extractive distillation of chloromethane/isobutane mixtures. The binary system, chloromethane/isobutene, is an azeotropic system. In this study, IL entrainers are shown to be able to break the azeotrope and, thus, assure the separation in the whole range of chloromethane/isobutane ratios. ILs formed from different cations and anions are considered and their influence on chloromethane/isobutane separation is explored. Among the ILs studied, those containing the trifluoromethanesulfonate ([CF₃SO₃]^–) or tricyanomethanide ([C(CN)₃]^–) anion are demonstrated to exhibit an enhanced potential for chloromethane/isobutane separation compared to the corresponding ILs based on the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]^–) anion. Moreover, the ILs enclosing these anions are cheaper than those with the [Tf₂N]^– anion. Thus, the separation ability, solubility of chloromethane/isobutane mixtures, and costs of IL entrainers can be adjusted by the right choice of cations and anions.     

Influence of ionic liquid composition on the stability of polyvinyl chloride‐based ionic liquid inclusion membranes in aqueous solution

Membrane technology has gained significant importance with the incorporation of ionic liquids into their structure. This work shows the influence of ionic liquid composition on the stability of PVC‐based polymer ionic liquid inclusion membranes (PILIMs) in aqueous solution. Among the ILs investigated, those membranes which contain between 20 and 30%_w/w of the least soluble, [OMIM⁺][PF₆^?] and [OMIM⁺][Ntf₂^?], exhibit losses of IL lower than 10%. For both ILs, the amount immobilized was maximum for the membranes with 30%_w/w of IL (0.0838 and 0.0832 g, respectively). On the contrary, the ionic liquid loss increases as its solubility in water increase, reaching 99.52% when PILIMs are prepared with 70%_w/w of [OMIM⁺][BF₄^?]. The results demonstrate that the stability of PILIMs depends on the solubility of the IL in the surrounding phase and the specific interaction between the IL and the polymeric support for PVC‐to‐IL ratios higher than 30%_w/w. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 770–780, 2017     

Toward greener separations of rare earths: Bifunctional ionic liquid extractants in biodiesel

Ionic liquids (ILs) containing quaternary phosphonium cations and phosphonic acid anions were explored as novel extractants for rare earths (RE) separation. They were considered to be bifunctional ionic liquid extractants (bif‐ILEs), since both cations and anions of ILs were involved in the extraction. Trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis 2,4,4‐trimethylpentylphosphinate (Cyphos IL 104), as a bif‐ILE, together with propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and soybean oil methyl ester (SBME, biodiesel) as diluents was employed in the extraction of RE(III) from aqueous solutions. Acidified Cyphos IL 104 (HNO₃‐Cyphos IL 104) exhibited high solubility in three diluents, and higher extraction efficiency than bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) because of the coextraction of RE(III) by quaternary phosphonium cation and phosphonic acid anion in organic phase. Additionally, this coextraction mechanism could eliminate the loss of IL. The physical properties and miscibility test results indicated that SBME was an excellent solvent for RE(III) extraction. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010     

Vapor Liquid Equilibria for Ionic Liquid/Ethanol/Water Systems and the Effect of Anion Hydrolysis

The performance of two tetrafluoroborate-based ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers in the dehydration of water/ethanol azeotropic mixtures was evaluated. Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were measured for the systems ethanol/water/1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and ethanol/water /n-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate including the azeotropic region. VLE data for the ethanol/water, ethanol/IL, and water/IL binary mixtures were obtained at 100 kPa. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion was studied for both types of ILs by ¹⁹F NMR analysis. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion does not have much effect on the ethanol/water VLE. The ¹⁹F NMR analysis indicated that hydrolysis occurred at high mole fractions of water.     

Ionic Liquids as Size‐ and Shape‐Regulating Solvents for the Synthesis of Cobalt Nanoparticles

Over the last few years, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as an important class of reaction media for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The formation and stabilization of nanoparticles was investigated in different ILs to elucidate the effect of the chemical nature of the IL anion, cation and alkyl side chain of the imidazolium. In this context, Co₂(CO)₈ was employed as a precursor and thermally decomposed to the metallic cobalt nanoparticles in a series of selected ILs, where either the IL cation or anion was varied while keeping all of the other parameters constant. The results show that both the molecular volume of the anion and cation and the steric configuration are important aspects to control the formation and stability of nanoparticles in ILs.     

Extraction of Metal Ions with Task Specific Ionic Liquids: Influence of a Coordinating Anion

Hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) were generated by association between a cationic ester derivative of betaine and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf₂N^?) or dicyanamide (Dca^?) anions. Extraction of Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) from water was performed with these ILs at room temperature. The use of Dca^? anion greatly enhances the extraction efficiency of IL phase towards metal ions extraction. The metal could be back-extracted from the ionic liquid phase with aqueous EDTA solutions. The metal extractability of the ionic liquid after the back-extraction is equivalent to that of the fresh mixture showing that ionic liquid can be reused for several extraction and back-extraction cycles.     

Characterization of ionic liquid‐based biocatalytic two‐phase reaction system for production of biodiesel

The property of a variety of ionic liquids (ILs) as reaction media was evaluated for the production of biodiesel by enzymatic methanolysis of rapeseed oil. The IL Ammoeng 102, containing tetraaminum cation with C₁₈ acyl and oligoethyleneglycol units, was found to be capable of forming oil/IL biphasic reaction system by mixing with substrates, which is highly effective for the production of biodiesel with more than 98% biodiesel yield and nearly 100% conversion of oil. Conductor‐like screening model for real solvent (COSMO‐RS) in silico prediction of substrate solubility and simulation of partition coefficient change vs. reaction evolution indicated that the amphiphilic property of Ammoeng 102 might be responsible for creating efficient interaction of immiscible substrates; while big difference of partition coefficients of generated biodiesel and glycerol between the two phases suggests a large chemical potential to move reaction equilibrium for maximum oil conversion and yield of target biodiesel. The reaction behavior and specificity of oil/IL biphasic system for enzymatic production of biodiesel were theoretically delineated through COSMO‐RS computation with experimental validation. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Gas solubility in long‐chain imidazolium‐based ionic liquids

The gas solubility in 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium [C₁₂MIM] based ionic liquids (ILs) was measured at temperatures (333.2, 353.2, and 373.2) K and pressures up to 60 bar for the first time. The popular UNIFAC‐Lei model was successfully extended to long‐chain imidazolium‐based IL and gas (CO₂, CO, and H₂) systems. The free volume theory was used to explain the gas solubility and selectivity in imidazolium‐based ILs by calculating the fractional free volume and free volume by the COSMO‐RS model. Furthermore, the excess enthalpy of gas‐IL system was concerned to provide new insights into temperature dependency of gas (CO₂, CO, and H₂) solubility in ILs. The experimental data, calculation, and theoretical analysis presented in this work are important in gas separations with ILs or supported ionic liquid membranes. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1792–1798, 2017     

C18:1 Methyl Ester Metathesis in [bmim][X] Type Ionic Liquids

The efficacy of [bmim][X] ionic liquids (ILs) (X = PF₆⁻, BF₄⁻ and NTf₂⁻) as reaction media for methyl oleate metathesis was compared with that of conventional organic solvents (PhCl, PhMe, DCM and DCE) using the well-defined first and second generation Grubbs precatalysts, RuCl₂(PCy₃)(L)(=CHPh) (L = PCy₃ or H₂IMes). Best catalytic performance, with excellent selectivity (>98%) at moderate reaction temperatures, was achieved in [bmim][X] ILs compared to conventional solvents. The effects of anion, reaction temperature, solvent polarity, solvent viscosity, and ligand-anion interaction on the reaction are also addressed.     

SO2 Absorption/Desorption Characteristics of Two Novel Phosphate Ionic Liquids

Two kinds of phosphate ionic liquids were synthesized and their SO₂ absorption performance was investigated. It was found that both ionic liquids could readily absorb SO₂, and the absorption capacity could reach 2.8 and 2.7 mol SO₂ per mole ILs, respectively, at ambient temperature and under normal pressure. Moreover, the cycle of SO₂ absorption and desorption from ionic liquids was repeated for four times and no change in the absorption capacity was observed. FT-IR spectrum and ¹H NMR were used to characterize the microstructure of SO₂-absorbed ILs and ILs, analysis showed that both ionic liquids absorbed SO₂ purely by physical absorption. Comparing with the previous reported ionic liquids such as [Bmim][PF6] and [Emim][BF4], the synthesized ionic liquids showed higher absorption capacity, due to the anion based phosphate (O?P?O) with the free electrons on the oxygen interacting with the Lewis acidic sulfur of SO₂, and then showing a great affinity for SO₂.     

Liquid‐liquid phase split in ionic liquid + toluene mixtures induced by CO2

High pressure carbon dioxide was dissolved in ionic liquid + toluene mixtures to obtain the conditions of pressure and composition where a liquid‐liquid phase split occurs at constant temperature. Ionic liquids (ILs) with four different cations paired with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]^?) anion were selected: 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ([hmim]⁺), 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylpyridinium ([hmpy]⁺), triethyloctylphosphonium ([P₂₂₂₈]⁺), and tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium ([P₆₆₆₁₄]⁺). The solubility of CO₂ was measured in the liquid mixtures at temperatures between 298 and 333 K and at pressures up to 8 MPa, or until the second liquid phase appeared, for initial liquid phase compositions of 0.30, 0.50, and 0.70 mole fraction of IL. Ternary isotherms were compared with the binary solubility of CO₂ in each IL and pure toluene. The lowest pressure for separating toluene in a second liquid phase was achieved by decreasing the temperature of the system, increasing the amount of toluene in the initial liquid mixture and using [hmim][Tf₂N]. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2968–2976, 2015     

离子液体吸收分离一氧化碳的研究进展

离子液体（ILs）作为一种新型的绿色溶剂在吸收和分离一氧化碳（CO）方面显示出了独特的优异性和潜在的应用价值。对近年来ILs参与CO吸收分离的研究工作进展进行了综述,主要包括常规ILs、阴离子功能化ILs、ILs/Cu (Ⅰ)盐和ILs支撑液膜。重点论述了CO在ILs中的溶解度及对其他气体的选择性,并与ILs吸收分离二氧化碳（CO₂）性能进行了比较;着重讨论了阴阳离子种类、取代基类型、温度、压力等因素对ILs吸收分离CO性能的影响,并介绍了ILs吸收CO的机理。最后,对设计合成新型功能化ILs应用于高效吸收分离CO提出了一些建议。     

Ionic liquids as plasticizers/lubricants for polylactic acid

In this study, two ionic liquids (IL) with different anions (decanoate, tetrafluoroborate) but with the same phosphonium‐based cation were evaluated as potential plasticizers and lubricants for polylactic acid (PLA). Both ILs at 5 wt% were well dispersible and partly miscible with PLA as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, SEM, and glass transition temperature, T_g, characterization, as well as from solubility parameters calculations. However, phase separation in the PLA system containing the IL with tetrafluoroborate anions was observed 1 year after melt processing. The IL containing the tetrafluoroborate anion showed higher thermal stability compared with the IL containing decanoate as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. This was translated in corresponding behaviors of the PLA blends. The effects of the IL containing the tetrafluoroborate anion were more pronounced on lubrication as evidenced by lower values of coefficient of friction that could also be correlated with lower contact angle; this IL could then be considered as a more effective, overall, plasticizer than the IL containing the decanoate anion based on reduced flexural modulus and brittleness as well as T_g suppression results. The extent of plasticization, however, could also be related to the molecular weight reduction during melt processing that occurred in the presence of both ILs, but to different degrees. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers