One
strategy to promote the use of natural dyes consists of developing
solvents capable of increasing their solubility. Herein, in silico
predictions of activity coefficients based on the conductor-like screening
model COSMO-SAC were used to screen the most promising ionic solventsionic
liquids or eutectic mixturesfor the dissolution of three natural
dyes, namely, indigo, alizarin, and curcumin. The predicted logarithmic
activity coefficients at infinite dilution, lnγ∞, indicate that small ions having high charge density and capable
of establishing strong hydrogen bonds appear to be the best candidates.
Anions such as acetate, methanesulfonate, chloride, bromide, and methyl-
or ethyl-sulfate combined with small tetraalkylammonium-based, pyrrolidinium-based,
and imidazolium-based cations seem to be the best candidates for the
interaction and thus possible dissolution of the natural dyes. The
eutectic mixture of such small cation–anion combinations with
primary amines, small carboxylic acids, and zwitterions such as betaine
and carnitine can lead to ionic solvents that are liquids at room
temperature. The chosen potential ionic solvents were prepared, and
the experimental solubility of the three natural dyes was measured
and compared with that in water.