The effect of the cation p-surface area on the 3D organization and catalytic ability of imidazolium-based ionic liquids

The dichotomic nature of ionic liquids (ILs, simple solvents or supramolecular fluids) induced us to carry out a structural investigation of some mono-and dicationic ionic liquids using 1D and 2D NMR, resonance light scattering, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Ionic liquids with different cation π-surface areas were used, namely [bmim][NTf2], [Bzmim][NTf 2], [Bzbim][NTf2], [p-Xyl-(bim)2][NTf 2]2, and [m-Xyl-(bim)2][NTf2] 2 [bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, Bzmim = 1-benzyl-3- methylimidazolium, Bzbim = 1-benzyl-3-butylimidazolium, NTf2 = bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide]. In order to verify to what extent the structural investigation, coupled with the determination of solvent parameters, could…

Geminal Imidazolium Salts: A new Class of Gelators

The gelling behavior of some geminal diimidazolium salts was investigated in solvents differing in polarity and hydrogen bond donor ability. The used salts, namely the 3,3'-di-n-decyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(decim)(2)][Br](2) (1), the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][Br](2) (2), and the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium ditetrafluoroborate [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][BF(4)](2) (3), differ in the alkyl chain length and in the anion properties, such as size, shape, and coordination ability. In all cases in which gelation process was observed, the obtained gels were characteri…

Functionalised Imidazolium Dicationic Ionic Liquids used as reaction media for base catalyzed organic reactions

The effects of structural changes on the anti-microbial and anti-proliferative activities of diimidazolium salts

An array of diimidazolium salts has been synthesized and used to investigate their anti-microbial and anti-proliferative activities. In particular, salts based on the 3,30-di-n-alkyl-1,10-(1,n-phenylenedimethylene)- diimidazolium cation and differing in the alkyl chain length on the imidazolium ion, the isomeric substitution on the aromatic spacer and in the anion nature were used. The anti-proliferative activity was evaluated against cervical (HeLa), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and breast (SKBR3) cancer cell lines. In the latter case, also a morphological assessment after treatment with salts was performed. All salts were tested for their hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. On …

Host-guest interactions between DMpillar[5]arene and fluorescent imidazolium salts

Determinazione di costanti di formazione di coppie ioniche in liquidi ionici

Two-Component Hydrogels Formed by Cyclodextrins and Dicationic Imidazolium Salts

In the framework of our recent interest in studying the gelling behaviour of imidazolium salts, we took into account the possibility of obtaining two-component hydrogels by combining cyclodextrins and dicationic imidazolium salts. In particular, we used diimidazolium salts differing in the alkyl chain length and in the size, shape, and coordination ability of the anion, namely the 3,3′-di-n-decyl- and 3,3′-di-n-dodecyl-1,1′-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide, and 3,3′-di-n-dodecyl-1,1′-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium ditetrafluoroborate and dihexafluorophosphate. As far as cyclodextrins are concerned, to gain information on the effects of different sized cyclic oligos…

Ionic Liquids Binary Mixtures: Promising Reaction Media for Carbohydrates Conversion in 5-HMF

Anion and ionic liquid effects on ionogel phases formation

Geminal organic salts have been recently introduced as the third generation of ionic liquids.1 Like their monocationic precursors they generally show high thermal stability and low corrosiveness, as well as high polarity and structural order degree.2 All these features make them good candidates to be used in the formation of conductive gel phases, that afterwards may find application as organized reaction media or in the preparation of dye sensitized solar cells.3 In this context, we have recently synthesized some task specific geminal organic salts and investigated their behaviour as gelators. The obtained salts were able to gel ionic liquid solutions. In order to have information about th…

Two component chiral gels: a study of properties and behavior as recognition systems

Supramolecular Hydro- and Ionogels: A Study of Their Properties and Antibacterial Activity.

Diimidazolium-based organic salts, bearing peptides or amino acids as anions have been synthesised and tested for their gelling ability in biocompatible solvents. These low molecular weight salts were successfully used as gelators in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and ionic liquids. Then, the properties of the obtained soft materials were analysed in terms of melting temperature and gel strength as accounted for by rheological investigations. The gel-phase formation was studied by using UV/Vis and resonance light scattering measurements, whereas the morphology of the soft materials was analysed by using polarised optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To get informat…

Two components organogels as molecular recognition systems: properties, behavior and future applications

SALI ORGANICI: “TECTONI” PER LO STUDIO DI PROCESSI DI SELF-ASSEMBLY IN SOLVENTI ORGANICI

Ionic Liquids binary mixtures: the influence of the composition on their properties and catalytic ability

Diimidazolium organic salts and supramolecular gels exerting antimicrobial activity

Organizzazione strutturale di liquidi ionici mono- e dicationici: un approccio combinato

Diimidazolium-based organic salts as low molecular weight hydro- and organogelator

Task-specific dicationic ionic liquids used as reaction media for Michael addition

π-Conjugated diimidazolium salts: rigid structure to obtain organized materials.

Phenylene ethynylene based diimidazolium salts differing in the alkyl chain length borne on the imidazolium ion and anion nature were synthesized. Their properties were studied both in solution and in the solid state. Salts obtained were able to aggregate in organic solvent solution. Aggregate formation was studied by performing concentration dependent measurements using UV-vis, fluorescence and Resonance Light Scattering. Furthermore, features of the aggregates were also investigated in the solid state by means of fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements. Finally, Density Functional Theory calculations were performed to obtain insights into the interaction geometry in the…

Binary Mixtures of Ionic Liquids: A Joint Approach to Investigate their Properties and Catalytic Ability

The growing interest in the properties and applications of ionic liquids has recently led to research into the possibility of using their binary mixtures. This work reports on the effects of binary mixtures of ionic liquids on the outcome of organic reactions such as the mononuclear rearrangement of heterocycles and the solvatochromic behavior of Nile Red. Binary mixtures formed by ionic liquids differing in the structure of the cation and the anion are taken into account. In particular, ionic liquids such as 1-benzyl-3- butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-(2,3,4,5,6- pentafluorobenzyl)-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and 1-benzyl-3-butylimidazolium…

Sali di dialchilimidazolio: dai liquidi ionici agli organogel

A joint of experimental investigations about the structural organization of two geminal ionic liquids

Ionogels formed by geminal imidazolium salts: a preliminary investigation

Studio spettrofotometrico della formazione di coppie ioniche ammina/p-nitrofenolo in liquido ionico

strutture organizzate formate da sali organici: sintesi, studio delle proprietà e applicazioni

Organogel formed by imidazolium salts: molecular recognition processes

Organic salts and aromatic substrates in two-component gel phase formation: the study of properties and release processes

To identify gel phases able to act as confined reaction media or materials for the removal of organic pollutants, we studied two-component gel phases formed by naphthalenedisulfonate diimidazolium salts in the presence of some organic guests, in 1-propanol solution. Guests differing in π-surface area, bulkiness and electronic properties were taken into account. Soft materials obtained were investigated for their thermal stability, self-repairing ability and morphology. Furthermore, two-component gel phase formation was studied using resonance light scattering (RLS) measurements. Guest release processes from the gel phase were also studied. These processes were monitored as a function of tim…

Studio delle proprietà di ionogel formati da sali organici dicationici

Ionic liquids binary mixtures and zeolites: a combination to promote carbohydrates conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

The Gelling Ability of Some Diimidazolium Salts: Effect of Isomeric Substitution of the Cation and Anion

The gelling ability of some geminal imidazolium salts was investigated both in organic solvents and in water solution. Organic salts differing either in the cation or anion structure were taken into account. In particular, the effects on the gel-phase formation of isomeric substitution on the cation or anion as well as of the use of mono- or dianions were evaluated. As far as the cation structure is concerned, isomeric cations, such as 3,3′-di-n-octyl-1,1′-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium and 3,3′-di-n-octyl-1,1′-(1,3-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium, were used. On the other hand, in addition to the bromide anion, isomeric dianions, such as the 1,5- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate a…

Aggregation processes of perylene bisimide diimidazolium salts

The supramolecular aggregation of three diimidazolium- functionalized perylene bisimides, differing in the alkyl chain length was investigated. These salts form aggregates in solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane, and glycerol. Solvent-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies were carried out, evidencing the occurrence of an isodesmic, enthalpy-driven aggregation process, underpinned by p–p stacking and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and SEM images revealed that these salts aggregate in chloroform into elongated structures.

A preliminary study on anion binding ability of geminal diimidazolium salts

Acidic imidazolium salts: catalysts for biomass transformation

DICATIONIC IMIDAZOLIUM SALTS: TUNABLE ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTITUMORAL CHEMIOTHERAPEUTIC LEADS

The chemical synthesis of novel chemotherapeutical leads is evolving thanks to possibility to design molecules with desired physical-chemical and, thus, biological properties. The imidazolium salts, recently proven effective to inhibit bacterial and/or cancer cell growth, posses an amphiphilic nature that is conferred by the imidazolium cation having a polar head generally coupled with aliphatic side chains. Thus, biological properties of imidazolium salts can be tuned through modifications involving the cation structure and/or the anion nature. By covalently linking two imidazolium rings, di-imidazolium salts were obtainedobtain differing in: i) kind of anions; ii) geometric isomerization …

Ionic liquid binary mixtures: Promising reaction media for carbohydrate conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Abstract The conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) has been studied in binary mixtures of ionic liquids (ILs), using strongly acidic resin Amberlyst 15 as the catalyst. In particular, both mono- and disaccharides, such as fructose, glucose and sucrose have been investigated. Considering the favorable effect exerted by chloride-based ionic liquids in the dissolution of carbohydrates, we used binary mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]) with [bmim + ] based ionic liquids differing in size, shape and coordination ability of the anion ([bmim][BF 4 ], [bmim][N(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 ], [bmim][N(CN) 2 ], [bmim][SbF 6 ] and [bmim][CF 3 SO 3 ]). Carbohydrat…

Self-assembly process of diimidazolium salts: the effect of the alkyl chain length and isomeric substitution

Two components hydrogels formed by host-guest interactions

Supramolecular complexes formed by dimethoxypillar[5]arenes and imidazolium salts: A joint experimental and computational investigation

To gain more insights into the factors acting on the stability of complexes formed by pillar[5]arenes, we investigated the interaction of dimethoxypillar[5]arene with some 1-(n-alkyl)-3-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-imidazolium based organic salts. In particular, we used salts differing in not only the anion nature ([Cl−], [BF4−], [NTf2−] and [SbF6−]) and alkyl chain length (butyl, octyl and dodecylimidazolium derivatives), but also the presence of a hydrogenated or fluorinated tail (octyl and perfluorooctylimidazolium derivatives). Host–guest systems were analysed in solution, solid state and gas phase, using a combined approach of different techniques like fluorescence, 1H NMR, ESI-MS, DSC and DF…

Determination of basic strenght of aliphatic amines through ion pair formation in some ionic liquid solutions

To have an evaluation of the basic strength of aliphatic amines in ionic liquid solution, the stability constants relevant to the formation of amine/p-nitrophenol ion pairs were determined in different ionic liquids at 298 K. In particular, aliphatic (pyrrolidinium) and aromatic (imidazolium) ionic liquids were used. Imidazolium ions, bmim(+) and bm(2)im(+), having different hydrogen bond donor abilities were taken into account. Anions were chosen ([BF(4)(-)], [PF(6)(-)], and [NTf(2)(-)]; where NTf(2) = bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide) showing different shape, size, and coordination ability. Several primary, secondary (cyclic or not), and tertiary amines were used to study the effect of a…

Fully ionic metallogels from dicationic diimidazolium salts

Inside Back Cover: Aggregation Processes of Perylene Bisimide Diimidazolium Salts (Chem. Eur. J. 42/2015)

Dicationic organic salts: gelators for ionic liquids

Diimidazolium and dipyrrolidinium organic salts were tested for their ability to gel both organic solvents and ionic liquids. Organic salts containing 1-(1-imidazolylmethyl)-3,5-di-(3'-octylimidazolylmethyl)-benzene and 1-(N-pyrrolidylmethyl)-3,5-di-(N,N-octylpyrrolidylmethyl)-benzene cations were used. In addition to the simple bromide anion, also dianions having a naphthalene core such as 1,5- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate were taken into account. Gelation tests demonstrated that organic salts used were able to harden ionic liquids. The materials obtained were investigated for their thermal stability and also for electric conductivity properties using mic…

How mixing ionic liquids affects a Diels-Alder reaction

Synthesis of aryl azides: A probe reaction to study the synergetic action of ultrasounds and ionic liquids

Abstract The combined effect of ultrasounds and ionic liquids was used to perform the synthesis of aryl azides by nucleophilic aromatic substitution in ionic liquid/[1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium][N 3 ] binary mixtures. The ultrasounds efficiency was analyzed as a function of the substrate and of the ionic liquid structure. In the first case, both 6π and 10π electrons aryl halides were considered. As far as the ionic liquid structure is concerned, both aromatic and aliphatic ionic liquids were taken into account. Among aromatic cations, the effects due to different ability in giving hydrogen bond or π–π interactions were considered. The use of a geminal ionic liquid having an aromatic spacer …

Two-Component Hydrogels Formed by Cyclodextrins and Dicationic Imidazolium Salts

In the framework of our recent interest in studying the gelling behaviour of imidazolium salts, we took into account the possibility of obtaining two-component hydrogels by combining cyclodextrins and dicationic imidazolium salts. In particular, we used diimidazolium salts differing in the alkyl chain length and in the size, shape, and coordination ability of the anion, namely the 3,3′-di-n-decyl- and 3,3′-di-n-dodecyl-1,1′-(1,4- phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide, and 3,3′-di-n-dodecyl-1, 1′-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium ditetrafluoroborate and dihexafluorophosphate. As far as cyclodextrins are concerned, to gain information on the effects of different sized cyclic olig…

Supramolecular aggregation of bis-imidazolium functionalised perylene bisimides

Electronic and Steric Effects: How Do They Work in Ionic Liquids? The Case of Benzoic Acid Dissociation

The need to have a measure of the strength of some substituted benzoic acids in ionic liquid solution led us to use the protonation equilibrium of sodium p-nitrophenolate as a probe reaction, which was studied by means of spectrophotometric titration at 298 K. In order to evaluate the importance of electronic effect of the substituents present on the aromatic ring, both electron-withdrawing and -donor substituents were taken into account. Furthermore, to have a measure of the importance of the steric effect of the substituents both para- and ortho-substituted benzoic acids were analyzed. The probe reaction was studied in two ionic liquids differing for the ability of the cation to give hydr…

Functionalized Diatonic Ionic Liquids Applied to the Study of Michael Addition