Eight novel task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) based on the thioglycolate anion designed for heavy metal extraction have been prepared and characterized by H andC NMR, UV-Vis, infrared, ESI-MS, conductivity, viscosity, density and thermal properties. Evaluation of their time-resolved extraction abilities towards cadmium(II) and copper(II) in aqueous solutions have been investigated where distribution ratios up to 1200 were observed. For elucidation of the IL extraction mode, crystals were grown where Cd(II) was converted with an excess of S-butyl thioglycolate. It was found by X-ray diffraction analysis that cadmium is coordinated by five oxygen and one sulfur donor atoms provided by two thioglycolate molecules and one water molecule. Leaching behavior of the hydrophobic ionic liquids into aqueous systems was studied by TOC (total dissolved organic carbon) measurements. Additionally, the immobilization on polypropylene was elucidated and revealed slower metal extraction rates and similar leaching behavior. Finally, recovery processes for cadmium and copper after extraction were performed and recyclability was successfully proven for both metals.

This study aims to develop novel ammonium and phosphonium ionic liquids (ILs) with thiosalicylate (TS) derivatives as anions and evaluate their extracting efficiencies towards heavy metals in aqueous solutions. Six ILs were synthesized, characterized, and investigated for their extracting efficacies for cadmium, copper, and zinc. Liquid-liquid extractions of Cu, Zn, or Cd with ILs after 1-24h using model solutions (pH 7; 0.1M CaCl2) were assessed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS). Phosphonium-based ILs trihexyltetradecylphosphonium 2-(propylthio)benzoate [P66614][PTB] and 2-(benzylthio)benzoate [P66614][BTB] showed best extraction efficiency for copper and cadmium, respectively and zinc was extracted to a high degree by [P66614][BTB] exclusively.

Two water-soluble thiosemicarbazone-proline (H2L(1)) and thiosemicarbazone-homoproline hybrids (H2L(2)) were synthesised. By reaction of H2L(1) with NiCl2·6H2O, PdCl2 and CuCl2·2H2O in ethanol, the series of square-planar complexes [Ni(H2L(1))Cl]Cl·1.3H2O (1·1.3H2O), [Pd(H2L(1))Cl]Cl·H2O (2·H2O) and [Cu(H2L(1))Cl]Cl·0.7H2O (3·0.7H2O) was prepared, and starting from H2L(2) and CuCl2·2H2O in methanol, the complex [Cu(H2L(2))Cl2]·H2O (4·H2O) was obtained. The compounds have been characterised by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy), ESI mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray crystallography (H2L(1), 1, 2 and 4). As a solid, 1 is diamagnetic, while it is paramagnetic in methanolic solution. The effective magnetic moment of 3.26 B.M. at room temperature indicates the change in coordination geometry from square-planar to octahedral upon dissolution. The in vitro anticancer potency of ligand precursors H2L(1) and H2L(2) and metal complexes 1-4 was studied in three human cancer cell lines (A549, CH1 and SW480) and in noncancerous murine embryonal fibroblasts (NIH/3T3), and the mechanism of cell death was also assayed by flow cytometry. Clear-cut structure-activity relationships have been established. The metal ions exert marked effects in a divergent manner: copper(ii) increases, whereas nickel(ii) and palladium(ii) decrease the cytotoxicity of the hybrids. The antiproliferative activity of H2L(1) and metal complexes 1-3 decreases in all three tumour cell lines in the following rank order: 3 > H2L(1) > 1 > 2. The role of square-planar geometry in the underlying mechanism of cytotoxicity of the metal complexes studied seems to be negligible, while structural modifications at the terminal amino group of thiosemicarbazide and proline moieties are significant for enhancing the antiproliferative activity of both hybrids and copper(ii) complexes.

We studied the extraction behavior of two thioglycolate-based ionic liquids (ILs), for heavy metals from aqueous solutions; substances of interest were methyltrioctylammonium S-hexyl thioglycolate [N][CSAc] and methyltrioctylphosphonium S-hexyl thioglycolate [P][CSAc]. Theses ILs previously have shown very good extraction abilities towards cadmium and copper, therefore we investigated time-dependent metal removal experiments with aqueous solutions of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II). The highest distribution ratio (R) was determined for zinc (R=2000). Recovery studies for zinc after extraction were performed with different stripping agents showing a successful recycling. Additionally, the two ILs were immobilized on active charcoal, displaying great potential for solid-liquid extraction. Regarding the extraction mechanism, quantum-mechanical calculations were included, which indicate that the metal extraction depends on the stability of the metal-water cluster. Ligands (water as well as ILs) are planar coordinated in nickel complexes but showed a tetrahedral configuration for zinc. As a first estimate of the ecotoxicity of the ILs, in vivo tests toward three freshwater green algae species Tetradesmus obliquus, Desmodesmus armatus and Raphidocelis subcapitata were carried out. The EC values (effective concentration after 72 h) confirm high toxicity of all tested ILs to all species, displaying only small differences between the species and ECies.

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Two novel maltol-based ionic liquids, namely [A336][Mal] and [C101][Mal], were synthesized as potential extracting agents for radionuclides from water. These two room temperature task-specific ionic liquids could be easily prepared by anion metathesis starting from commercially available materials. The isolated compounds were characterized by standard analytical methods. Their application as extraction agent for Unat., 234Th, 210Pb, 210Bi, 210Po and 226Ra was elucidated by liquid–liquid extraction and scintillation counting. Uranium was totally extracted by both ionic liquids over a broad pH range (2–8), while the other radionuclides were removed with differing efficacies depending on the respective pH value.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10967-014-3782-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reactions of 5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-methylsulfanylbenzaldehyde S-methylisothiosemicarbazone and 5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-phenylsulfanylbenzaldehyde S-methylisothiosemicarbazone with pentane-2,4-dione (Hacac) and triethyl orthoformate in the presence of M(acac)2 as template source at 107 °C afforded metal complexes of the type M(II)L(1) and M(II)L(2), where M = Ni and Cu, with a new Schiff base ligand with thiomethyl (H2L(1)) and/or thiophenyl (H2L(2)) group in the ortho position of the phenolic moiety. Demetalation of NiL(1) in CHCl3 with HCl(g) afforded H2L(1). The latter reacts with Zn(OAc)2·2H2O with formation of ZnL(1). The effect of -SR groups and metal ion identity on stabilization of phenoxyl radicals generated electrochemically was studied in detail. A marked stabilization of phenoxyl radical was observed in one-electron-oxidized complexes [ML(2)](+) (M = Ni, Cu) at room temperature, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, EPR spectroscopy, and UV-vis-NIR measurements. In solution, the oxidized CuL(2) and NiL(2) display intense low-energy NIR transitions consistent with their classification as metal-delocalized phenoxyl radical species. While the CuL(2) complex shows reversible reduction, reduction of NiL(2), CuL(1), and NiL(1) is irreversible. EPR measurements in conjunction with density functional theory calculations provided insights into the extent of electron delocalization as well as spin density in different redox states. The experimental room temperature spectroelectrochemical data can be reliably interpreted with the (3)[CuL(2)](+) and (2)[NiL(2)](+) oxidation ground states. The catalytic activity of synthesized complexes in the selective oxidations of alcohols has been studied as well. The remarkable efficiency is evident from the high yields of carbonyl products when employing both the CuL(2)/air/TEMPO and the CuL(2)/TBHP/MW(microwave-assisted) oxidation systems.

Recovery of platinum group metals from spent materials is becoming increasingly relevant due to the high value of these metals and their progressive depletion. In recent years, there is an increased interest in developing alternative and more environmentally benign processes for the recovery of platinum group metals, in line with the increased focus on a sustainable future. To this end, ionic liquids are increasingly investigated as promising candidates that can replace state-of-the-art approaches. Specifically, phosphonium-based ionic liquids have been extensively investigated for the extraction and separation of platinum group metals. In this paper, we present the extraction capacity of several phosphonium-based ionic liquids for platinum group metals from model deep eutectic solvent-based acidic solutions. The most promising candidates, P66614Cl and P66614B2EHP, which exhibited the ability to extract Pt, Pd, and Rh quantitively from a mixed model solution, were additionally evaluated for their capacity to recover these metals from a spent car catalyst previously leached into a choline-based deep eutectic solvent. Specifically, P66614Cl afforded extraction of the three target precious metals from the leachate, while their partial separation from the interfering Al was also achieved since a significant amount (approx. 80%) remained in the leachate.