Past, Present and Future Perspectives on Halloysite Clay Minerals.

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), clay minerals belonging to the kaolin groups, are emerging nanomaterials which have attracted the attention of the scientific community due to their interesting features, such as low-cost, availability and biocompatibility. In addition, their large surface area and tubular structure have led to HNTs' application in different industrial purposes. This review reports a comprehensive overview of the historical background of HNT utilization in the last 20 years. In particular it will focus on the functionalization of the surfaces, both supramolecular and covalent, following applications in several fields, including biomedicine, environmental science and catalysis.

Supramolecular Hydro- and Ionogels: A Study of Their Properties and Antibacterial Activity.

Diimidazolium-based organic salts, bearing peptides or amino acids as anions have been synthesised and tested for their gelling ability in biocompatible solvents. These low molecular weight salts were successfully used as gelators in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and ionic liquids. Then, the properties of the obtained soft materials were analysed in terms of melting temperature and gel strength as accounted for by rheological investigations. The gel-phase formation was studied by using UV/Vis and resonance light scattering measurements, whereas the morphology of the soft materials was analysed by using polarised optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To get information about the organisation of the gelator in the gelatinous matrix, X-ray diffraction measurements were performed both on the neat gelators and their gels. The results collected show that the properties of the gel phases, like the thermal stability, the self-repairing ability, the resistance to flow as well as the morphology, are dependent on the nature of the anion. Furthermore, bioassays revealed that the obtained diimidazolium organic salts possessed antimicrobial activity, against gram-negative and gram-positive tester strains. In particular and noteworthy, the diimidazolium organic salts exert a bactericidal capability, which was retained even if they are included in the gel phase. Thus, a novel kind of bioactive soft material was obtained that could be fruitfully employed as a non-covalent coating exerting antibacterial capability.

Insights into the Formation and Structures of Molecular Gels by Diimidazolium Salt Gelators in Ionic Liquids or "Normal" Solvents.

Insights are provided into the properties of molecular gels formed by diimidazolium salts both in "normal" solvents and ionic liquids. These materials can be interesting for applications in green and sustainable chemistry in which ionic liquids play a significant role, like catalysis and energy. In particular, two positional isomers of a diimidazolium cation have been examined with a wide range of anions for their ability to form gel phases. In particular, di-, tri-, and tetravalent anions bearing aliphatic or aromatic spacers were paired with the divalent cations. The properties of the organo- and ionogels formed have been analyzed by means of several different techniques, including calorimetry, rheology, resonance light scattering, UV/Vis absorption, polarizing optical microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The investigations performed enabled us to obtain a wide range of conductive materials characterized by a high thermal stability and a low corrosiveness of the gelator (organogels) or of both gelator and solvent (ionogels). The information gained should be useful in the broader quest to identify and promote their applications.

Aggregation Processes of Perylene Bisimide Diimidazolium Salts.

The supramolecular aggregation of three diimidazolium-functionalized perylene bisimides, differing in the alkyl chain length was investigated. These salts form aggregates in solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane, and glycerol. Solvent-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies were carried out, evidencing the occurrence of an isodesmic, enthalpy-driven aggregation process, underpinned by π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and SEM images revealed that these salts aggregate in chloroform into elongated structures.

Organic salts and aromatic substrates in two-component gel phase formation: the study of properties and release processes.

To identify gel phases able to act as confined reaction media or materials for the removal of organic pollutants, we studied two-component gel phases formed by naphthalenedisulfonate diimidazolium salts in the presence of some organic guests, in 1-propanol solution. Guests differing in π-surface area, bulkiness and electronic properties were taken into account. Soft materials obtained were investigated for their thermal stability, self-repairing ability and morphology. Furthermore, two-component gel phase formation was studied using resonance light scattering (RLS) measurements. Guest release processes from the gel phase were also studied. These processes were monitored as a function of time using both UV-vis and RLS measurements and considering important parameters such as the gelator concentration, the nature of extraction solvent and the extension of contact surface area between solvent and gel phase. Data collected shed light on the properties of the two-component gels and could represent a useful tool to better plan the application of these soft materials.

π-Conjugated diimidazolium salts: rigid structure to obtain organized materials.

Phenylene ethynylene based diimidazolium salts differing in the alkyl chain length borne on the imidazolium ion and anion nature were synthesized. Their properties were studied both in solution and in the solid state. Salts obtained were able to aggregate in organic solvent solution. Aggregate formation was studied by performing concentration dependent measurements using UV-vis, fluorescence and Resonance Light Scattering. Furthermore, features of the aggregates were also investigated in the solid state by means of fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements. Finally, Density Functional Theory calculations were performed to obtain insights into the interaction geometry in the salts investigated. Data collected evidence that aggregation processes are affected by a combined action of different factors derived from the nature of the salt and solvent. The above features also influence the morphology of the aggregates as well as the ability of their thin films to give blue emission. On the whole, information gained could represent a useful starting point for applications of these salts in the optoelectronic field among others.

Dicationic organic salts: gelators for ionic liquids.

Diimidazolium and dipyrrolidinium organic salts were tested for their ability to gel both organic solvents and ionic liquids. Organic salts containing 1-(1-imidazolylmethyl)-3,5-di-(3'-octylimidazolylmethyl)-benzene and 1-(N-pyrrolidylmethyl)-3,5-di-(N,N-octylpyrrolidylmethyl)-benzene cations were used. In addition to the simple bromide anion, also dianions having a naphthalene core such as 1,5- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate were taken into account. Gelation tests demonstrated that organic salts used were able to harden ionic liquids. The materials obtained were investigated for their thermal stability and also for electric conductivity properties using micro-DSC and dielectric spectroscopy. Furthermore, the opacity of some gel phases was monitored using UV-vis measurements. To obtain information about the gelation mechanism, gel phase formation was studied as a function of time by means of resonance light scattering investigation. Finally, the ability of materials to respond to external stimuli such as magnetic stirring or ultrasound irradiation was also analyzed. Data collected show that different relationships exist among the gelator and the ionic liquid structure, determining the properties of materials and their possible applications.

Task specific dicationic ionic liquids: recyclable reaction media for the mononuclear rearrangement of heterocycles.

Nine functionalized dicationic ionic liquids were used to study the base catalyzed mononuclear rearrangement of (Z)-phenylhydrazone of 3-benzoyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole into the corresponding triazole at 363 K. Ionic liquids were characterized by the presence of 1-(1-imidazolylmethyl)-3,5-di[1-(3'-octylimidazolylmethyl)]benzene cation, bearing on the structure a neutral imidazole unit as basic functionality. Besides anions generally used for monocationic ionic liquids, such as [Br(-)], [BF4(-)], and [NTf2(-)], also dianions having a rigid aromatic spacer such as 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, and 1,5- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate were taken into account. Furthermore, to have information about the effect deriving from the spacer rigidity also dianions such as 1,4-butanedicarboxylate and 1,6-hexanedicarboxylate were used. The basic strength of dicationic ionic liquids was determined using the Hammett indicator method. Data collected gave evidence that the outcome of the target reaction was affected by the nature of interactions operating between cation and anion of the ionic liquid used. Quite interestingly, solvent systems used had a good recyclability. Indeed, in some cases, they were reused for four cycles without significant loss in yield.

Thixotropic Hydrogels Based on Laponite® and Cucurbituril for Delivery of Lipophilic Drug Molecules.

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Prof. Serena Riela at University of Catania, Prof. César Viseras at University of Granada and Dr. Ignacio Sainz-Diaz at Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra. The cover picture shows the possible application of the developed system. In particular, flufenamic acid, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic drug, was complexed into cucurbituril cavity and the supramolecular system obtained was used as filler for laponite® hydrogel for its topical delivery. More information can be found in the Research Article by Viseras-Iborra, Riela, and co-workers.

Thixotropic Hydrogels Based on Laponite® and Cucurbituril for Delivery of Lipophilic Drug Molecules.

Nowadays the use of hydrogels for biomedical purposes is increasing because of their interesting features that allow the development of targeted drug delivery systems. Herein, hydrogel based on Laponite® (Lap) clay mineral as gelator and cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) molecules were synthetized for the delivery of flufenamic acid (FFA) for potential topical application. Firstly, the interaction between CB[6] and FFA was assessed by UV-vis spectroscopic measurements and molecular modeling calculations. Then, the obtained complex was used as filler for Lap hydrogel (Lap/CB[6]/FFA). The properties of the hydrogel in terms of viscosity and, self-repair abilities were investigated; its morphology was imaged by scanning electron and polarized optical microscopies. Furthermore, the changes in the hydrodynamic radii and in the colloidal stability of CB[6]/Lap mixture were investigated in terms of translational diffusion from dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. Finally, the kinetic in vitro release of FFA, from Lap/CB[6]/FFA hydrogel, was studied in a medium mimicking the pH of skin and the obtained results were discussed both by an experimental point of view and by molecular modeling calculations.

Molecular "pincer" from a diimidazolium salt: a study of binding ability.

The anion recognition ability of the dicationic imidazolium salt 3,3'-di-n-octyl-1,1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate ([m-Xyl-(oim)2][1,5-NDS]) was investigated in acetonitrile solution by means of proton NMR titrations. A wide range of anions, comprising simple inorganic ions, halides, and mono- and dicarboxylates was taken into account. The study showed that this receptor binds carboxylate anions more strongly than halides. Moreover [m-Xyl-(oim)2][1,5-NDS] displays selectivity for di- over monocarboxylate anions. The complex stability was mainly affected by the anion basicity in the presence of monocarboxylates, whereas the flexibility of the alkyl chain linking the two carboxylate moieties appeared to play a major role in the presence of dicarboxylate anions.

Solution and thermal behaviour of novel dicationic imidazolium ionic liquids.

A new class of functionalised dicationic ionic liquids, containing a central cationic unit capped by a basic functionality (imidazole), has been synthesised. These salts have been characterised in isotropic solution using proton and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, and their thermal stability has been studied by DSC and TGA. All these novel salts contain the 1-(1-imidazolylmethyl)-3,5-di{1-(3'-octylimidazolylmethyl)}-benzene cation as a defining structural motif. Salts of both singly and doubly charged anions were prepared and, in particular, the selected monoanions (Br(-), [BF4](-), or [NTf2](-)) differ in size, shape and hydrogen-bonding ability, whereas the dianions differ in the nature of the spacer, such as 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, 1,5- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate, 1,4-butanedicarboxylate, and 1,6-hexanedicarboxylate. These ionic liquids exhibit the presence of different conformers in solution, whose distribution is affected by the nature of the anion. The nature of the anion also affects their thermal stability.

Low-loading asymmetric organocatalysis.

Asymmetric organocatalysis is now recognized as the third pillar of asymmetric synthesis. Recent years have witnessed increasing interest towards the use of highly active and stereoselective organocatalysts. This critical review documents the advances in the development of chiral organocatalysts which are systematically used in ≤3 mol% loading in all the sub-areas of the field, namely aminocatalysis, Brønsted acids and bases, Lewis acids and bases, hydrogen bond-mediated catalysis, phase transfer and N-heterocyclic carbene catalyses (194 references).

Binary mixtures of ionic liquids: a joint approach to investigate their properties and catalytic ability.

The growing interest in the properties and applications of ionic liquids has recently led to research into the possibility of using their binary mixtures. This work reports on the effects of binary mixtures of ionic liquids on the outcome of organic reactions such as the mononuclear rearrangement of heterocycles and the solvatochromic behavior of Nile Red. Binary mixtures formed by ionic liquids differing in the structure of the cation and the anion are taken into account. In particular, ionic liquids such as 1-benzyl-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and 1-benzyl-3-butylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, are studied. To achieve a deep understanding of the properties of ionic-liquid binary mixtures, their three-dimensional organization was analyzed by a combination of resonance light scattering, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and (1)H and (19)F NMR spectroscopy. Data collected herein evidence that the most significant changes in the ionic lattice structure, and consequently the most pronounced effects exerted as solvent media, occur when the studied system involves a blend of different anions.

Geminal imidazolium salts: a new class of gelators.

The gelling behavior of some geminal diimidazolium salts was investigated in solvents differing in polarity and hydrogen bond donor ability. The used salts, namely the 3,3'-di-n-decyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(decim)(2)][Br](2) (1), the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][Br](2) (2), and the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium ditetrafluoroborate [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][BF(4)](2) (3), differ in the alkyl chain length and in the anion properties, such as size, shape, and coordination ability. In all cases in which gelation process was observed, the obtained gels were characterized by gel melting temperature determination, resonance light scattering, and UV-vis measurements. On the whole, the investigation allowed to get information about both the thermodynamic stability and the features of the aggregates characterizing the soft materials at the equilibrium. Data collected by us point out that the used organic salts are able to behave as both hydro- and organogelators. In particular, bromide salts formed hydrogels in the presence of α-cyclodextrin allowing to hypothesize that the gelation process is favored by the formation of supramolecular assemblies. To verify this hypothesis, 1D and 2D (1)H NMR measurements were carried out. Both the alkyl chain length and the anion ability to reticulate the three-dimensional network proved to be determinant factors in affecting the gelation process as well as the features of the gel phases. Finally, with the future aim to use the obtained gels as reaction media, the effect of a guest molecule such as the UV-vis active probe Nile Red was studied.

Aryl azides formation under mild conditions: a kinetic study in some ionic liquid solutions.

The kinetics of nucleophilic aromatic substitution of three nitrothiophene derivatives in different [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium][N(3)]/ionic liquid binary mixtures was studied spectrophotometrically at 298 K. Ionic liquids differing for cation structure (imidazolium or pyrrolidinium) and for size, shape, and coordination ability of the anion ([BF(4)(-)], [PF(6)(-)], [SbF(6)(-)], and [NTf(2)(-)]) were used. Furthermore, in order to have a comparison with conventional organic solvents, the target reaction was also carried out in DMF solution at increasing concentration of NaN(3) or [bmim][N(3)]. Data collected show that the reaction occurs faster in DMF than in ionic liquid solution. Furthermore, as a consequence of the ability of all solvent media to favor the leaving group departure, a simple linear dependence of the pseudo-first-order kinetic constant from nucleophile concentration was detected. The results of this kinetic investigation once more underline that ionic liquids are able to exert peculiar effects that can be understood also considering their three-dimensional organization.

Electronic and steric effects: how do they work in ionic liquids? The case of benzoic acid dissociation.

The need to have a measure of the strength of some substituted benzoic acids in ionic liquid solution led us to use the protonation equilibrium of sodium p-nitrophenolate as a probe reaction, which was studied by means of spectrophotometric titration at 298 K. In order to evaluate the importance of electronic effect of the substituents present on the aromatic ring, both electron-withdrawing and -donor substituents were taken into account. Furthermore, to have a measure of the importance of the steric effect of the substituents both para- and ortho-substituted benzoic acids were analyzed. The probe reaction was studied in two ionic liquids differing for the ability of the cation to give hydrogen bond and pi-pi interactions, namely [bm(2)im][NTf(2)] and [bmpyrr][NTf(2)]. Data collected show that benzoic acids are less dissociated in ionic liquid than in water solution. Furthermore, the equilibrium constant values seem to be significantly affected by both the nature of ionic liquid cation and the structure of the acid. In particular, the ortho-steric effect seems to operate differently in water and in the aromatic ionic liquid, determining in this solvent medium a particular behavior for ortho-substituted benzoic acids.

Geminal ionic liquids: a combined approach to investigate their three-dimensional organisation.

Different investigations, such as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, resonance light scattering spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, have been jointly used to achieve a deeper understanding of the degree of structural order in two geminal ionic liquids. In particular, 3,3'-di-n-butyl-1,1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium and 3,3'-di-n-butyl-1,1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis[bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide] have been studied. These geminal ionic liquids were chosen because of the presence of both a rigid phenylenedimethylene link between two imidazolium rings, which should give a high degree of order to the solvent system, and the different shapes of the two cations of the isomers, which could induce different properties and packing in the liquid state. Data collected here show that the two geminal ionic liquids are characterised by a different degree of structural order that induces, for example, a different sensitivity of the two solvent systems to temperature changes or to the presence of a co-solvent such as methanol.

A study of the influence of ionic liquids properties on the Kemp elimination reaction.

The morpholino-induced elimination of 5-nitrobenzisoxazole into the relevant 2-cyano-4-nitrophenolate has been used as a sample reaction in order to investigate molecular properties of some room temperature ionic liquids. The kinetic study was carried out at 298 K by means of spectrophotometric measurements. Ionic liquids, which differ in both their cation and anion properties, were used as solvent systems. In particular, aliphatic (pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, and ammonium) and aromatic (imidazolium and pyridinium) ionic liquids were used. For aromatic cations, imidazolium ions having different hydrogen-bond donor ability or a different alkyl-chain length were taken into account. The anions chosen ([BF(4)(-)], [PF(6)(-)], [SbF(6)(-)], and [NTf(2)(-)]; where NTf(2) = bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide) showed different shape, size, and coordination ability. Solvent parameters of all ionic liquids used were determined by using spectroscopic probes, such as 4-nitroaniline, N,N-diethyl-4-nitroaniline, Nile Red, and Reichardt's dye. Finally, in order to obtain information on the structural organization of the solvent systems, resonance light-scattering measurements were carried out. The collected data provide evidence that ionic liquids are solvent media which exhibit peculiar features, whose effects can be rationalized only considering all parameters affecting their three-dimensional structure.

p-Nitrophenolate: a probe for determining acid strength in ionic liquids.

In order to obtain an acidity scale in room-temperature ionic liquid solutions, the protonation equilibrium of sodium p-nitrophenolate in [bm(2)im][NTf(2)] and in [bmpyrr][NTf(2)], at 298 K, has been studied by means of spectrophotometric titration. Carboxylic acids differing in both structure and in water solution strength have been used. Data collected indicate that in the analyzed ionic liquid solutions carboxylic acids are less dissociated than in water solution. Furthermore, by virtue of a mutual interaction, the studied equilibrium seems to be affected by both the nature of the ionic liquids and the carboxylic acids.