Acid and Base Water Coexists in a Micro-Structured Ionic Liquid and Catalyzes Organic Reactions in One-Pot

The most paradigmatic example of antagonist chemical species are protons and hydroxyls, and their coexistence in a liquid system is of high interest. Here we show that commercial ionic liquids stabilize microdroplets of water with pH < 0 and pH > 14, concomitantly and without any additive, and that this micro-structured liquid medium catalyzes organic reactions in one-pot.

Automated summary

The study reveals that commercial ionic liquids can stabilize microdroplets of water with pH < 0 and pH > 14 simultaneously and without any additive, and this micro-structured liquid medium catalyzes organic reactions.