[SCAN] Ionic liquids for Biological Applications

Scan Seminar

Title: Ionic liquids for Biological Applications

Speaker: João Mendes de Araujo

From: Molecular Thermodynamics Laboratory, ITQB

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) are emerging as technology enablers and novel materials. A brief discussion on ionic liquids for different biological applications, such as pharmaceutically active ILs, IL-based aqueous biphasic systems for the extraction of pharmaceutical compounds and ILs amphiphilic surfactants is attained.
An emerging research field of interest is the use of ILs in pharmaceutical applications. The so-called third generation of ILs (API-ILs) has taken a further step in developing ILs that are themselves the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This strategy enables one to improve certain important physicochemical properties of commonly used pharmaceutical drugs by converting them into ILs as well as by selecting an appropriate counter ion. Taking advantage of the ILs building-up platform and with a meticulously selection of the counter-ion, the water solubility of an API, an important factor in drug delivery, can be easily manipulated. Another benefit of synthesising IL forms of known APIs is the potential to modulate its membrane permeation properties. Tuning and controlling membrane transport is a key factor with impact on a variety of novel delivery methods.
Also, ILs emerged as one of the most attractive solutes for the formation of aqueous biphasic systems (ABS). The superior extractive performance of IL-based ABS over conventional polymer-based systems results from the broad hydrophobic-hydrophilic range exhibited by the coexisting phases when ILs are employed.
The study of ILs as potential new amphiphilic surfactants in aqueous media demonstrates that ILs can be designed to provide tunable hydrophilic-lipophilic balance allowing for improved performances.