Biocatalysis in ionic liquids: state-of-the-union

Abstract

This perspective reviews the current status and prospects of biocatalysis in ionic liquids. Although they are not strictly speaking ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents are included because of the close similarities of their properties and potential applications with those of ionic liquids. One consequence of the ongoing transition from an economy based on fossil resources to a circular economy based on renewable biomass is the burgeoning interest in the use of biocatalysis for the selective conversion of carbohydrates and triglycerides to liquid fuels and chemicals in biorefineries. The use of inexpensive, environmentally attractive ionic liquids as solvents, in the pre-treatment and subsequent biocatalytic conversions, for example, is expected to play an important enabling role in this process.