Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The main objective of our current research program is the development of ionic liquids (ILs) as alternative solvents and their use in catalysis, separations, biomass processing, and functional materials. Our interests in ionic liquids are based in part on their potential as greener solvents but more so due to their unique and interesting chemical properties that lead to interesting applications. ILs derived from dialkylpyrrolidinium, dialkylimidiazolium, and others, with a variety of anions will be investigated for their use in a variety of applications. Our research has evolved from the use of ILs as solvents to their development as functional materials in catalysis, separations and biomass processing - three new and innovative research directions.  A new area of interest in our research involves the use of ILs and derivatives thereof in organocatalysis and also in biomass processing of biopolymers lignin and cellulose. These areas of activity have given rise to the study of ILs containing coordinating groups capable of forming ionic metal organic frameworks (iMOFs). ILs have substantial potential in catalysis, separations, biomass processing, and materials applications. Molecular features that enable ILs to perform a variety of functions ranging from extractants to catalysts will be "built" into new IL derivatives using conventional synthetic methods. In a broader sense, due to the tunable properties of ILs, their potential to perform as functional materials will be investigated. We are investigating the use of ionic liquid tags incorporated into derivatives capable of organocatalysis. New ionic organocatalysts entrained in IL reaction media, allow ready recycling of the catalyst and facilitate isolation of products. The IL reaction media will also promote the use of microwave irradiation improving reaction outcomes. The development of ionic organocatalysts and the enhancement of catalytic activity through entrainment in ionic liquid media and the use of microwave techniques will be a focus. The investigation of functionalized ILs to form chelate complexes with a number of metal ions will be investigated for their ability to remove metals from solutions. This research has potential applications in hydrometallurgical metal refining processes as well as remediation of contaminated water. Other functionalized ILs can form complexes with metals for use in catalysis targeting biomass processing. Such complexes can be exploited in biphasic reactions in which the catalytic complex is entrained in an IL enabling high selectivity and easy recovery of products and catalyst. This strategy is being extended to the preparation of ionic liquid derivatives containing coordinating groups that permit their use as spacer or bridging ligands in the formation of ionic metal organic frameworks, iMOFs, with built in functionality attributed to the ionic liquid cores. Hence, we are investigating iMOFs that form ionic networks targeting gas separations and catalysis.