SIPS 2018

DETAILLED PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Are Ionic Liquids Revolutionizing Analytical Chemistry?
Mihkel Koel¹;
¹TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, Tallinn, Estonia;
PAPER: 31/Molten/Invited (Oral)
SCHEDULED: 16:20/Mon./Bossa (150/3rd)

ABSTRACT:
Analytical chemistry is very actively searching for the possibilities of taking into use ionic liquids (ILs), which are completely different from conventional molecular solvents. More and more specific ILs have appeared with the aim to fill the task of a certain application task specific ionic liquids (TSIL) - and this has been a growing trend in analytical applications as well. The design and optimisation of TSILs is becoming a part of good practice in the development of ionic liquids. Ionic liquids in gas-liquid chromatography have already stepped into the commercialization stage, as listed in catalogues [1]. The great potential of ILs for expanding opportunities of almost all of the separation technologies has been clearly expressed in many publications. In case of micro-extraction, the use of ILs increases the performance and speed of a method and makes it greener in terms of reagents consumption [2]. Even in analytical methods like liquid chromatography and electrophoresis, where ILs are used mostly as ordinary salt additives, the structural novelty of these compounds is supplying a wider range of interaction modalities [3]. In liquid chromatography there are examples of the use of pure ILs as eluents, which were considered impossible in the past [4]. With unique elution pattern, they are showing a new potential of ILs application. In this case, the use of ILs increases the performance of a method and makes it greener in terms speed and reagents consumption. Here, the design of functional ILs with suitable physico-chemical properties is also the key issue. A rapidly emerging field in analytical research is the development of sensors and diagnostic devices, where use of ILs as alternatives to molecular solvents and conventional materials are increasing sensitivity, selectivity, and limits of analysis detections [5]. However, there are some areas in analytical chemistry, like mass spectrometry, which have experienced loss of inflated expectations. It means only slowing down the development to look at things from other angles, and working towards a second generation of methods and materials. Several studies on the toxicity and environmental impact of ILs have raised questions about their real "greenness". However, despite that, ILs have a great potential for green chemistry solutions that needs to be realized. Moreover, since relevant physico-chemical and biological properties, including toxicity and biodegradability, can be modified and optimized through a rational design, ILs should represent a continuous stimulus and an endless challenge to chemists.

References:
[1] Sigma-Aldrich: Ionic liquid capillary GC columns. http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/analyticalchromatography/
analytical-products.html?TablePage=101691909. Accessed 16 February 2016.
[2] E.M.Martinis, P.Berton, R.G.Wuilloud,. Ionic liquid-based microextraction techniques for trace element
analysis, Trends Anal. Chem., 60(2014)54-70.
[4] M.C. Garcia-Alvarez-Coque, M.J. Ruiz-Angel, A.Berthod, S.Carda-Broch, On the use of ionic liquids
as mobile phase additives in high-performance liquid chromatography. A review, Anal. Chim. Acta,
883(2015)1-21
[4] K. Kuroda and H.Ohno, High Performance Ionic Liquid Chromatography, in Anal. Appl.Ionic Liquids ed. M.Koel World Sci. 2017
[5] J. Gebicki; Application of electrochemical sensors and sensor matrixes for measurement of odorous chemical compounds, TrAC-Trends Anal. Chem., 77(2016) 1-13