Supported Ionic Liquid-Phase Materials (SILP) as a Multifunctional Group of Highly Stable Modifiers and Hardeners for Carbon and Flax Epoxy Composites.

This paper introduces a novel approach to enhance epoxy resin formulations by using SILP materials as multifunctional hardeners and fillers in composite structures reinforced with carbon and flax fibers. This study explores the integration of ionic liquids (ILs) onto a silica support structure, presenting various permutations involving silica selection, ionic liquid choice, and concentration. The focus of this study was to elucidate the influence of SILP on resin curing ability and the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Detailed research was conducted, including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET) for SILP materials and curing characterization for epoxy resin formulations with different SILP materials. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the obtained composites were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis (SEM) (the force at break, the maximum elongation at break, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity). Through SILP incorporation, the mechanical properties of composites, including the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength, are substantially improved, a phenomenon akin to traditional filler effects. The findings highlight SILP materials as prospective candidates for concurrent hardening and filling roles within composites (through a single-step procedure, with prolonged storage stability and controlled processing conditions), particularly pertinent as the composite industry veers toward epoxy bioresins necessitating liquefaction via temperature application.

New biologically active ionic liquids with benzethonium cation-efficient SAR inducers and antimicrobial agents.

BACKGROUND: An urgent need to find new methods for crop protection remains open due to the withdrawal from the market of the most toxic pesticides and increasing consumer awareness. One of the alternatives that can be used in modern agriculture is the use of bifunctional compounds whose actions towards plant protection are wider than those of conventional pesticides. RESULTS: In this study, we present the investigation of the biological efficacy of nine dual-functional salts containing a systemic acquired resistance (SAR)-inducing anion and the benzethonium cation. A significant result of the presented study is the discovery of the SAR induction activity of benzethonium chloride, which was previously reported only as an antimicrobial agent. Moreover, the concept of dual functionality was proven, as the application of presented compounds in a given concentrations resulted both in the control of human and plant bacteria species and induction of SAR. CONCLUSION: The strategy presented in this article shows the capabilities of derivatization of common biologically active compounds into their ionic derivatives to obtain bifunctional salts. This approach may be an example of the design of potential new compounds for modern agriculture. It provides plants with two complementary actions allowing to provide efficient protection to plants, if one mode of action is ineffective. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of Salicylic Acid Derivative in Modifying the Iron Nutritional Value of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

The present experiment addressed the effects of foliar sprays of different iron (Fe) concentrations (mg L-1), i.e., 2.8 (Fe I), 4.2 (Fe II), and 5.6 (Fe III), as well as an ionic derivative of salicylic acid (iSal) in two doses (10 and 20 mg L-1) on lettuce yield, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, and fluorescence parameters. Chemicals were used individually and in combinations two times, 23 and 30 days after the plants were transplanted. This experiment was carried out in a climate chamber. The Fe and iSal applications generally (except Fe I iSal, 10 mg L-1; Fe I iSal, 20 mg L-1; and Fe III iSal, 20 mg L-1) did not influence the fresh and dry matter content. The concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids was reduced for all treatments in comparison to the control (without spraying). The Fe content in leaves was promoted in the Fe-treated plants (+70% for Fe III + iSal, 10 mg L-1, and Fe I). The iSal treatment promoted the Mn content. For most combinations, the Zn and Cu accumulations, as well as the fluorescence parameters, decreased after the foliar spray applications. Overall, our study revealed the effectiveness of Fe-DTPA chelate, but not iSal, in increasing the Fe content of lettuce grown in soilless cultivation systems.

Resistance Inducers for the Protection of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Seedlings against Powdery Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides.

Oak powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe alphitoides (Griffon and Maubl.; U. Braun & S. Takam.) is a common disease in European forests. One of the most susceptible species is the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). Presently, a few methods are available to control powdery mildew, e.g., the use of fungicides (e.g., based on citric acid), antagonistic fungi or bacteria, chemical treatments (e.g., sulphur, potassium bicarbonate) or genetic resistance. In our study, we aimed to check the effects of using chitosan derivatives and novel active substances inducing the plants' natural resistance: benzodiathiadiazole (both in neutral and salt form). 84 pedunculate oak seedlings were subjected to the experiment in three treatment variants (plus positive and negative controls). The plants were treated with active substances and inoculated with E. alphitoides. Although the powdery mildew symptoms appeared in all variants, they were manifested mainly by the mycelium in the form of small spots. The experiment indicated that the highest limitation of powdery mildew mycelium was achieved by applying N-methyl-N-methoxyamide-7-carboxybenzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole (BTHWA). The application of BTHWA reduced disease development by 88.9% when compared to the effects of the other variants.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of bifunctional ionic liquids based on dodine ion.

BACKGROUND: Development of new plant protection strategies has become an urgent matter in modern agriculture, in view of the evidently proved negative effect of currently used active ingredients of pesticides. In recent years, much effort has been made to eliminate the use of pesticides established to be toxic to pollinators. RESULTS: In this study, we present a group of new bifunctional ionic liquids based on dodine (N-dodecylguanidine) cation whose physical and biological properties have been modified relative to those of the commercially available N-dodecylguanidine acetate. The decreased level of residue of active substances in plant tissues reduces their availability to pollinators, which increases the safety of their use. Moreover, lower environmental impact in combination with high antifungal activity and an additional biological function, that is the systemic acquired resistance induction, are in line with the goals of sustainable agriculture. CONCLUSION: The presented approach shows the possibility of derivatization of commonly used fungicide into the form of bifunctional salts whose physical and biological properties can be easily modified. The paper reports successful design and synthesis of new sustainable and green chemicals for the modern agriculture, being less toxic to the environment and human health but still effective against pathogens. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

A New Benzothiadiazole Derivative with Systemic Acquired Resistance Activity in the Protection of Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo convar. giromontiina) against Viral and Fungal Pathogens.

The ability of plant resistance inducers to provide protection against viral diseases is one of their main advantages over conventional pesticides. In the case of viral diseases that cannot be controlled directly with pesticides, insecticides are used to control the vectors of viruses. However, the effectiveness of such treatments is strictly dependent on the time of application. The plant response to the application of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducers, as a result of the stimulating action of these substances, does not depend on the time of application as it triggers the plant's natural defence mechanism. The best-recognised substance showing SAR inducer activity is acibenzolar-S-methyl ester (ASM, BTH). As its activity against different plant pathogens of crops has been well documented, the current research is concentrated on the search for novel substances of the type. The tested substance, N-methoxy-N-methylbenzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carboxamide (BTHWA), is an amide derivative of benzothiadiazole, showing plant resistance-inducing activity. This article presents the activity of BTHWA that has led to increased resistance of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo convar. giromontiina) towards viral infections. In addition, since the occurrence of the fungal pathogen, powdery mildew, was also observed during the two-year field experiments, the activity of BTHWA related to the reduction of infection with this fungus was also investigated. The substance was applied in two different variants either four or eight times, over the whole vegetation season. Surprisingly, the variant of four applications performed at the beginning of the vegetation season proved more effective in protection against viruses and fungus. A possible explanation may be the occurrence of the growth-immunity trade-off phenomenon that is known in the literature. Disturbance in plant metabolism resulting from eight applications may lead to lower yields of plants treated with SAR inducers. Perhaps such overstimulation of the plants we treated eight times may not have brought the optimum increase in plant resistance.

Correction: Zielinski, W., et al. Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Rhodium and Platinum Catalysts Used in Hydrosilylation Reaction. Molecules 2016, 21, 1115.

The authors are sorry to report that the yield of the hydrosilylation reaction in [P44414][NTf2] (1) IL with [RhCl(PPh3)3] was replaced with the yield reported for [P44414][NTf2] (1) IL with K2PtCl4 in their published paper [1]. [...].

Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Rhodium and Platinum Catalysts Used in Hydrosilylation Reaction.

A group of imidazolium and pyridinium based ionic liquids has been synthetized, and their ability to dissolve and activate the catalysts used in hydrosilylation reaction of 1-octane and 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane was investigated. An organometallic catalyst as well as inorganic complexes of platinum and rhodium dissolved in ionic liquids were used, forming liquid solutions not miscible with the substrates or with the products of the reaction. The results show that application of such a simple biphasic catalytic system enables reuse of ionic liquid phase with catalysts in multiple reaction cycles reducing the costs and decreasing the amount of catalyst needed per mole of product.