Effects of anion and cation selection on the physical properties of ammonium based ionic liquids

I&EC 115

Erik R. Gimpel, erik.gimpel@bioniqs.com, Research, Bioniqs Ltd, Biocentre, York Science Park, Innovation Way, York, YO10 5DG, United Kingdom and Adam J Walker, adam.walker@bioniqs.com, Bioniqs, Biocentre, York Science Park, York, YO10 5DG, United Kingdom.
Ionic liquids exhibit numerous interesting properties, notably they are non-volatile, non-flammable and can dissolve extremely high concentrations of a wide variety of materials. Conventional ionic liquids, however, suffer from disadvantages such as cost, high viscosity and are often hazardous to both workers and the environment. We present new solvents which are cheap, readily prepared and purified, biodegradable (>98% in 48 hours) and exhibit low viscosities (10-50 mPa.s). These solvents may be tailored for specific tasks including targeted solubilisation, purification or removal of particular materials or the performance of enzyme-catalysed reactions. Selection of the appropriate ions enables the fine tuning of properties, including viscosity and solubility where a single bond alter these values by over an order of magnitude. Significant changes can be achieved by interchanging functional groups; process relevant properties that can be adjusted include lipophilicity, hydrogen bonding, chemical and thermal stability.