Solubility of CO2, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, O2, and N2 in 1-hexyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide: comparison to other ionic liquids.

The solubilities of gases in ionic liquids are important in evaluating ionic liquids as solvents for reactions involving permanent gases, as gas storage media, and as solvents for gas separations. Gas solubilities are also important in developing methods to separate solutes from ionic liquid solutions. Here we describe our measurements of the solubilities of CO2, CH4, C2H 6, C2H 4, O2, and N2 in 1-hexyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and compare these results to our previous investigations.

Improving carbon dioxide solubility in ionic liquids.

Previously we showed that CO2 could be used to extract organic molecules from ionic liquids without contamination of the ionic liquid. Consequently a number of other groups demonstrated that ionic liquid/CO2 biphasic systems could be used for homogeneously catalyzed reactions. Large differences in the solubility of various gases in ionic liquids present the possibility of using them for gas separations.

Biodegradability of imidazolium and pyridinium ionic liquids by an activated sludge microbial community.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are novel organic salts that have enormous potential for industrial use as green replacements for harmful volatile organic solvents. Varying the cationic components can alter the chemical and physical properties of ILs, including solubility, to suit a variety of industrial processes. However, to complement designer engineering, it is crucial to proactively characterize the biological impacts of new chemicals, in order to fully define them as environmentally friendly.

Measurement of SO2 solubility in ionic liquids.

Measurements of the solubility of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) in the ionic liquids 1-n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([hmim][Tf(2)N]) and 1-n-hexyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([hmpy][Tf(2)N]) at temperatures from 25 to 60 degrees C and pressures up to 4 bar indicate that large amounts (up to 85 mol %) of SO(2) dissolve in ionic liquids by simple physical absorption.