Environmental Impact of Ionic Liquids: Recent Advances in (Eco)toxicology and (Bio)degradability

Abstract

This Review aims to integrate the most recent and pertinent data available on the (bio)degradability and toxicity of ionic liquids for global and critical analysis and on the conscious use of these compounds on a large scale thereafter. The integrated data will enable focus on the recognition of toxicophores and on the way the community has been dealing with them, with the aim to obtain greener and safer ionic liquids. Also, an update of the most recent biotic and abiotic methods developed to overcome some of these challenging issues will be presented. The review structure aims to present a potential sequence of events that can occur upon discharging ionic liquids into the environment and the potential long-term consequences.

The Role of Water Revisited and Enhanced: A Sustainable Catalytic System for the Conversion of CO2 into Cyclic Carbonates under Mild Conditions

“…Between the two organic iodide catalysts, Bu 4 NI provedt ob ei ng eneral slightly less active than PPNI under the same conditions, but its higher solubility in the reaction mixture, lower cost, and lower toxicity [49] make it am ore attractive choice for upscaling. To achieve these results, it was crucial to carefully tune the amount of water relative to the epoxide, the nature of the anion and cation constituting the organic halide catalyst, and the remaining reaction conditions.…”

“…To achieve these results, it was crucial to carefully tune the amount of water relative to the epoxide, the nature of the anion and cation constituting the organic halide catalyst, and the remaining reaction conditions. Between the two organic iodide catalysts, Bu 4 NI provedt ob ei ng eneral slightly less active than PPNI under the same conditions, but its higher solubility in the reaction mixture, lower cost, and lower toxicity [49] make it am ore attractive choice for upscaling.…”

Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in HepG2 cells induced by the imidazole ionic liquid 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride

“…However, many studies have shown that ILs may be released into aquatic environments via effluent discharges and accidental spills and cause damage to aquatic organisms . For example, IL toxicity has been evaluated in microalgae, fish, and in Daphnia magna .…”

Toxicity mechanisms of ionic liquids

“…Accordingly, sorption, biodegradability, and toxicity of ILs, as well as their degradation products, are of high importance for their impact and final fate in the environment (5,6 (3,4). In general, different test systems have shown different degrees of sensitivity to ILs indicating that the trophic level of test systems determines its susceptibility to ILs (7). Furthermore, all of the abovementioned studies indicate a strong relationship between ILs' chemical structure and degree of toxicity.…”

“…These publications are related to ionic liquids' preparation; application (in chemistry, chemical engineering, and biotechnology); physical-chemical and biological characterisation; and impact on the environment (source: Web of Science). Since 2010, comprehensive studies on ionic liquids environmental impact including (bio) degradability and toxicity have been published (3)(4)(5)(6)(7). The purpose of this review is to present recent data on the biological effects of these compounds, with a special emphasis on their morphological and physiological changes in different biological systems, from bacteria to animal cells.…”