Dual functionality of amphiphilic 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ionic liquids: surfactants with catalytic function

Abstract

A series of amphiphilic 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ionic liquids were synthesized. Acidic hydrogen sulfate ionic liquids with the alkyl chains C₆–C₁₄ are characterized by good surface properties. Their surface properties (adsorption and micellization parameters, degree of ionization of micelles, Krafft temperatures and thermodynamic parameters) were determined. Synthesized ionic liquids were applied as a co-catalyst in an oxirane ring opening reaction in epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Their co-catalytic activities were determined and discussed as a function of their structure and surface properties. It was found that the co-catalytic properties, both conversion and selectivity, of alkylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ionic liquids noticeably depended on the alkyl chain lengths, and in consequence their properties.