Synthesis and properties of ammonium ionic liquids with cyclohexyl substituent and dissolution of cellulose

Abstract

We have synthesized alkyl(cyclohexyl)dimethylammonium bromides, formates and acetates, 2-methoxyacetates, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)acetates, 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetates, and 2-ethoxyacetates and assessed their ability to dissolve cellulose. Their physicochemical properties and microbiological activity were determined. Alkyl(cyclohexyl)dimethylammonium cation dimensions of alkyl groups are essential for cellulose solubility and are generally limited to butyl, hexyl, and octyl as effective substituents. In parallel, the alkyl group determines activity of the entire molecule against microbes. The molecule's biological activity against microbes begins when a length of the alkyl substituent begins to block cellulose solubility. We present the computational model of the solubility mechanism, composed of an ensemble of two cellobiose units and (cyclohexyl)hexyldimethylammonium acetate.