Green solvents

Deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids are in the spotlight of the scientific and industrial community as promising alternatives to traditional organic solvents. The unique properties of these solvents such as very low volatility, non-flammability, and stability, make them suitable for use in a variety of different areas, such as organic synthesis and (bio)catalysis, electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, separation technology, nanotechnology, renewable resource utilization, and in use as functional fluids (e.g. lubricants, heat transfer fluids, corrosion inhibitors).

In our research group, microfluidic systems are used for the controlled synthesis of ionic liquids, as well as for the biocatalytic process intensification based on improved substrate/product solubility in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

The use of a microfluidic device for ionic liquid synthesis revealed that microscale reactor systems comprising a micromixer and a hold-up section was advantageous compared to conventional processes enabling high yields and high purity of product resulting in very efficient mixing and temperature control. Results were published in Cvjetko Bubalo et al., 2013