Synthesis and Characterization of Caprolactam- based Ionic Liquids as Green Solvents
Rania A. Naiyl *
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya and Africa Centre of Excellence II in Phytochemicals Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Eldoret, Kenya and Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemistry, & Mohamed Obaid Mubarak (MOM) laboratories, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Fredrick O. Kengara
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya and Africa Centre of Excellence II in Phytochemicals Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Eldoret, Kenya and School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Bomet University College, Bomet, Kenya.
Kirimi H. Kiriamiti
Africa Centre of Excellence II in Phytochemicals Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Eldoret, Kenya and Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.
Yousif A. Ragab
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemistry, & Mohamed Obaid Mubarak (MOM) laboratories, University of Gezira, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To synthesize and characterize six caprolactam-based ionic liquids (CPILs) by combination of caprolactam with different organic and inorganic Brønsted acids that can be utilized for lipid extraction from microalgae.
Study design: Experimental design include quantitative and qualitative.
Place and duration of study: The study was done at Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University (Kenya) between November 2020 and May 2021.
Methodology: Six CPILs were prepared through a simple neutralization reaction between Caprolactam and Brønsted acids such as Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Methane sulphonic acid (CH3SO3H), Trifluoromethanesulphonic acid (CF3SO3H), Acetic acid (CH3CO2H), Trifluoroacetic acid (CF3CO2H), and Sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The first three acids were used in the synthesis of CPILs for the first time. The chemical structures of the synthesized CPILs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The densities and viscosities were measured at 20 oC using the weight (pycnometer) and capillary viscometer (Oswald) methods, respectively.
Results: All the CPILs were insoluble in hexane and had high miscibility with water and methanol. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of the CPILs were compared with that of free Caprolactam. The characteristic absorption bands of the synthesized compounds showed a big shift in position and/or intensity (compared to caprolactam), indicating the formation of the CPILs. The results showed that both the density and viscosity increased with the molecular weight of the anion - except in Caprolactamium hydrogen sulphate (CPSA)- which could be due to the strong interactions between the cation and anion resulting from the dimerization between hydrogen sulphate anions.
Conclusion: The hydrophilic nature of the CPILs indicated by high miscibility with polar solvents (water and methanol) indicates that they are suitable for the dissolution of cellulose of microalgae cell wall and thus could result in high lipid extraction efficiency. Further studies should therefore utilize the synthesized CPILs in lipid extraction from microalgae.
Keywords: Caprolactam, ionic liquids, green solvents, FTIR, raman, viscosity, density