Ionic Liquids (ILs)

Ionic Liquids Latest News

Scientists have found life can exist on rocky super-earths with volcanic activity and little water thanks to ionic liquids.

About Ionic Liquids

• ILs are a category of salt which are in liquid state at room temperature and made up entirely of ions.
• ILs are restricted to salts whose melting point is below 100°C (212°F). 
• Any salt that melts without decomposing or vaporizing usually yields an ionic liquid.
• While ordinary liquids such as water are predominantly made of electrically neutral molecules, ILs are made of ions and short-lived ion pairs. 
• Examples: Tetrabutylammonium nitrite, 1-(Cyanomethyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride, Choline acetate, etc.
• ILs are variously called liquid electrolytes, ionic melts, ionic fluids, fused salts, liquid salts, or ionic glasses.
• General Properties:
  • Non volatile
  • Non-flammable
  • Stable at high temperature (up to 200°C / 392°F or 400°C /752°F depending on the product) and Chemical (water and oxygen)
  • Hydrophobic or Hydrophilic
  • Good conductors (electrolytes)
  • Broad electrochemical range
• The physico chemical properties of ionic liquids depend on the type and the size of the two ions forming them.
• Because of their highly tunable nature and exceptional properties, ILs have become essential players in the fields of synthesis and catalysis, extraction, electrochemistry, analytics, biotechnology, etc. 
• ILs have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to various organic solvents and catalysts. 
• As they are involatile and highly heat-resistant, they can be used in processes subjected to high temperatures.

Source: TH

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