Toxicity Assessment of Phosphonium Based Ionic Liquids Towards Female Guppy Fish

Abstract

In this study, two phosphonium based ionic liquids (butyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride and hexyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide) have been synthesized using quarternisation process. The toxicities of these Ionic Liquids (ILs) are unknown and may be harmful to humans and the environment. Therefore, the toxicity assessment of these ILs was carried out according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 203 guideline using female guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata). The median Lethal Concentrations (LC 50 ) have been estimated for butyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride and for hexyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide to be 73.35 and 61.36 mg L −1 respectively. Both LC 50 obtained can be identified as slightly toxic ILs based on Acute Toxicity Rating Scale by Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The findings from this study can be used for better design of phosphonium-based ILs with consideration of their aquatic toxicities.

Effect of Ionic Liquids on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Viability, Behavior, and Histology; Correlation between Toxicity and Ionic Liquid Aggregation

“…Furthermore, some immunomarkers of three-spined stickleback after treatment of four phosphonium based ILs have been determined 24 and the toxicity of two aromatic phosphonium based ILs on guppy fish have been studied. 25 Eleven different ILs with varying cation (hereafter called cationic ILs) or anion (hereafter called anionic ILs) structures and alkyl chain lengths were chosen based on our previous studies. 26 The zebrafish embryos were treated with ILs for 5 days and the effect of ILs on the viability of the embryos was determined.…”

“…In addition, the toxicity of tetrabutylammonium bromide ([N 4444 ]­Br) on 4 days old zebrafish, the effect of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([omim]­[PF 6 ]) on the reactive oxygen species and on DNA damage in zebrafish, and the effect of 1-decyl-3-methyimidazolium bromide ([C 10 mim]­Br) on the antioxidant enzyme system and DNA in zebrafish have been assessed. Furthermore, some immunomarkers of three-spined stickleback after treatment of four phosphonium based ILs have been determined and the toxicity of two aromatic phosphonium based ILs on guppy fish have been studied …”