Ionic liquids - a solution to the problem

The use of noxious, volatile solvents in industry has always caused concerns, both in terms of environmental pressures and health and safety. However, they are ubiquitous and replacing them has proved difficult, especially in terms of pricing, costs in changing the process, and the costs of disposal. One possible replacement could be the use of ionic liquids. Unlike most standard solvents, which are molecular, ionic liquids are salts.

They are less toxic than major organic solvents currently used in chemistry. In addition, they have negligible vapour pressures and are environmentally friendly.

Given the likely increased costs compared with volatile solvents, Chemada, from Israel, has investigated room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), with specific reference to use in the pharmaceutical intermediates and electrochemical industries - industries it felt could absorb the extra cost.

Part of the Deep Sea Bromine Group, of Israel, one of the world's largest suppliers of bromine-based compounds, Chemada has developed RTIL using that chemistry in collaboration with the group of Professor Geresh at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva. The project started two years ago with the aim of replacing currently used solvents. Two of the products have been made in 10kg quantities, but as Ronnie Meninger, Chemada's general manager said, it will take time to develop the products commercially.