Polymeric imidazolium ionic liquids as valuable stationary phases in gas chromatography: Chemical synthesis and full characterization

Seven new functionalized polymerizable ionic liquids were chemically prepared, and later applied for the preparation of polymeric stationary phases in gas chromatography. These coated GC columns, which exhibited good thermal stabilities (240–300 °C) and very high efficiencies (3120–4200 plates/m), have been characterized using the Abraham solvation parameter model. The chromatographic behavior of these polymeric IL columns has been deeply studied observing excellent selectivities in the separation of many organic substances such as alkanes, ketones, alcohols, amines or esters in mixtures of polar and non polar solvents or fragrances. Remarkably, the challenging separation of xylene isomers has been possible using a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide based imidazolium IL coated column as a gas chromatography stationary phase.

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► Synthesis and characterization of seven new polymeric ionic liquids.
► Application of these ionic liquids as stationary phases in gas chromatography.
► Good thermal stabilities (240–300 °C) achieved.
► High column efficiencies obtained (3120–4200 plates/m).
► Excellent separations attained for compound mixtures, including xylene isomers.