Biomass derived ionic liquids: synthesis from natural organic acids, characterization, toxicity, biodegradation and use as solvents for catalytic hydrogenation processes

Ionic liquids with natural organic derived anions (L-lactate, L-tartrate, malonate, succinate, L-malate, pyruvate, D-glucuronate, D-galacturonate) were easily prepared from tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and an excess of the corresponding acid with good yields. Their characterization was realized through classical NMR, IR, and elemental analysis techniques; their viscosity and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) parameters were also determined. These ionic liquids showed good performance and recyclability in the selective catalytic hydrogenation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene (1,5-COD) into cyclooctene (COD) at room temperature under atmospheric H-2 pressure. Antimicrobial toxicity assays toward a large panel of bacteria and fungi strains were also completed and biodegradation studies (Closed Bottle test, 28 days) were also performed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.