Liquid Structure of Ionic Liquids with [NTf2]- Anions, Derived from Neutron Scattering.

The liquid structure of three common ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated by neutron scattering for the first time. The ILs were based on the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, abbreviated in the literature as [NTf2]- or [TFSI]-, and on the following cations: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C2mim]+; 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C10mim]+; and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium, [P666,14]+. Comparative analysis of the three ILs confirmed increased size of nonpolar nanodomains with increasing bulk of alkyl chains. It also sheds light on the cation-anion interactions, providing experimental insight into strength, directionality, and angle of hydrogen bonds between protons on the imidazolium ring, as well as H-C-P protons in [P666,14]+, to oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the [NTf2]-. The new Dissolve data analysis package enabled, for the first time, the analysis of neutron scattering data of ILs with long alkyl chains, in particular, of [P666,14][NTf2]. Results generated with Dissolve were validated by comparing outputs from three different models, starting from three different sets of cation charges, for each of the three ILs, which gave convergent outcomes. Finally, a modified method for the synthesis of perdeuterated [P666,14][NTf2] has been reported, with the aim of reporting a complete set of synthetic and data processing approaches, laying robust foundations that enable the study of the phosphonium ILs family by neutron scattering.

Toward the Photocatalytic Valorization of Lignin: Conversion of a Model Lignin Hexamer with Multiple Functionalities.

The valorization of biomass via photocatalysis is an area of expanding research with advances in new technologies and materials with a view toward enhanced sustainability being reported. A significant challenge within this field, however, is understanding the impact photocatalysis has on more recalcitrant compounds present in biomass, such as lignin. Moreover, the current state of lignin model compound research is still largely focused on the breakdown of small models containing typically only one linkage. Described herein is the use of TiO2-mediated photocatalysis for the degradation of a representative hexameric lignin model compound which contains multiple linkages (e.g., 5-5', ß-5, and ß-O-4). The results revealed that while cleavage of the ß-5 and ß-O-4 occurred, the 5-5' appeared to remain intact within the identified reaction intermediates. To understand some of the more fundamental questions, a dimeric compound with a biphenyl linkage was synthesized and studied under photocatalytic conditions. The proposal of intermediates and pathways of degradation based on the studies conducted is presented and discussed herein.