Sodium carbonate as phase promoter in aqueous solutions of imidazolium and pyridinium ionic liquids

Several methylsulfate and chloride anion-based ionic liquids, such as 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium methyl sulfate, CnMIM CH3SO4 (n = 1, 2, and 4), 1-benzyl-3-methyl imidazolium methyl sulfate, BzMIM CH3SO4, 1-benzyl, or hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride, XMIM Cl (X = Bz and Hx), and methylpyridinium methylsulfate, Mpy CH3SO4, with sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, as phase forming salt, have been investigated and discussed for their potential use in separations based on aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). Phase diagrams have been experimentally ascertained at T = 298.15 K, and Merchuck equation and a variation of this model have been used for correlating the binodal data. The alkyl chain length in the cation and the type of anion and cation have been explored and discussed due to their decisive influence in the ATPS behavior. The consistence of tie-line data was ascertained by applying the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft equations.

► The discovery of novel aqueous two-phase systems, exclusively formed by the mixture of an ionic liquid and sodium carbonate is presented. ► We explore for the first time the ability of pyridinium-based ionic liquids to form aqueous biphasic systems. ► A first advance of the benefits of using benzylimidazolium-based ionic liquids for aqueous two-phase systems is proposed.