Further investigation of the biodegradability of imidazolium ionic liquids

In continuation of our earlier investigations, this report presents a rationale behind the design of a series of imidazolium based ionic liquids and their biodegradation using the CO2 headspace test (ISO 14593 method, OECD 310). The effect on biodegradability of these salts through variation of the N-substituted side chains of imidazolium ions was examined further through incorporation of various functional groups and increased alkyl chain lengths. A series of anions containing moieties known to be biodegradable were also incorporated into a number of imidazolium based salts and examined in a similar fashion.