Evaluating the greenness of ionic liquids via life cycle assessment

I&EC 175

YI Zhang, zhang.468@osu.edu, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, Bhavik Bakshi, bakshi.2@osu.edu, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State University, 140 W. 19th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, and Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie, sahle-demessie.endalkachew@epa.gov, Clean Process and Products Branch, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, 26 W. M. L. King Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268.
Ionic Liquids have been suggested as “greener” replacements to traditional solvents. However, the environmental impacts of the life cycle phases have not been studied. Such a “cradle to gate” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for comparing the environmental impact of various solvents and processes where ILs are suggested as alternatives is the subject of this paper. The primary focus is on the Ionic Liquid, butylmethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) and its use for the manufacture of cyclohexane and in a Diels-Alder reaction. These processes are compared with more traditional processes. The results of the LCA indicate that if the use of ILs permits the process to achieve higher yields, then they may be a good replacement for organic solvents. This is shown in the Diels-Alder example. But for the process that can be run without using any solvents, replacing it with a solvent-based process may not reduce the life cycle environmental impact.
 

Ionic Liquids: Not Just Solvents Anymore OR Ionic Liquids: Parallel Futures (Sponsored by Green Chemistry and Engineering, Separation Science and Technology and Novel Chemistry with Industrial Applications Sub-Divisions)
8:15 AM-12:30 PM, Monday, 27 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- B314, Oral

Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

The 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006