Further investigation of the biodegradability of imidazolium ionic liquids

Abstract

In continuation of our earlier investigations, this report presents a rationale behind the design of a series of imidazolium based ionic liquids and their biodegradation using the CO 2 headspace test (ISO 14593 method, OECD 310). The effect on biodegradability of these salts through variation of the N-substituted side chains of imidazolium ions was examined further through incorporation of various functional groups and increased alkyl chain lengths. A series of anions containing moieties known to be biodegradable were also incorporated into a number of imidazolium based salts and examined in a similar fashion.

Biodegradability of Ionic Liquids – Test Procedures and Structural Design

“…Die Anreicherung von bestimmten Mikroorganismen in Gegenwart von 1-Methyl-3-octylimidazoliumbromid konnte über Untersuchungen zur Zusammensetzung von Mikroorganismengemeinschaften mittels DNA-Untersuchungen nachgewiesen werden [29]. Bei deutlich längeren Alkylseitenketten (C16 und C18) ist die Toxizität der Substanzen gegenüber dem Inokulum [16,28].…”

“…Auch für eine Reihe von Alkoxy-, Ester-, und Etherverbindungen [16,19,20,23,27,33] konnte eine deutlich verbesserte biologische Abbaubarkeit in unterschiedlichen Tests zur raschen biologischen Abbaubarkeit nachgewiesen werden; aber auch hier deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass die Imidazolium-Grundstruktur selbst nicht biologisch abbaubar ist.…”

Preparation of IL-loaded microreactors based on polyelectrolyte microcapsules

“…For instance, when they are used as reaction media, large amounts are required, making them unattractive from an economic point of view; even if many of them are commercially available today, ILs are still expensive. Besides, they generate a large amount of waste at the end of their working lives, and their potential toxicity [9][10][11] and biodegradability [12,13] are still to be evaluated, for most of them. Furthermore, in some cases, extraction with conventional solvents is required to separate organic products from the ionic phase, leading to some loss of the IL.…”

Dicationic ionic liquids as recyclable catalysts for one‐pot solvent‐free synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates

“…The use of TSILs as catalysts and solvents for multicomponent reactions (MCRs) has been reported in recent years; however, very few papers were concerned with the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates via MCRs. Yadav − ), which some regard to limit their "greenness" [22][23][24]. Thus, it is necessary to synthesize less expensive and halogen-free ionic liquids, which can be used straightforwardly in simple procedures.…”