Reversible Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids
Section: For Industry
Category(ies): Chemistry
Reference #: WERI222007
OTC Contact: David Humphrey (Directory Information | Send a Message)
Description
Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) hold great promise for their potential as customizable and environmentally friendly ('green') solvents. Georgetown University researchers discovered a new class of RTIL solvents called "amidinium carbamates" that can be repeatedly interconverted between ionic-liquid and non-ionic-liquid states by simply bubbling either carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas (at one atmosphere of pressure). Interconversion between different polarities offers a distinct advantage of customizing reaction environments including options of either solvating or precipitating chemical-reaction components. Additionally, amidinium-carbamate solvents do not require maintaining absolutely dry atmospheres as compared to existing technologies. Georgetown University is seeking a commercial partner to license and develop these polarity-convertible, amidinium-carbamate solvents.
Applications
- Reversible cycling between RTIL and non-ionic liquid phases to control solvent polarity to either dissolve or precipitate chemical components.
- No need to maintain absolutely dry conditions, which obviates need for specialized equipment.
- Non-volatile solvent system reduces the use of hazardous and polluting organic solvents.
Advantages
Stage of Development
Inventors:
Dr. Richard Weiss, Dr. Taisuke Yamada, and Dr. Mathew George
Relevant Publications
Relevant Publications: Yamada et al., "Reversible, Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids: Amidinium Carbamates Derived from Amidines and Aliphatic Primary Amines with Carbon Dioxide". Chem. Mater. 19: 967-969, 2007.
Patent Status
U.S. & Foreign Rights Protected.
