Ionic Liquids as Functional Components- From Catalysts to Electrochemistry

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been an area of rapid growth over the past decade, predominately due to their tailorable properties. Structurally, ILs are a complex combination of both long-range and short-range interactions, and it is the synergy between these forces that determines the IL’s physical and chemical behaviour. In addition, IL-solute interactions impart further variability. This thesis explores the fundamental chemistry, which determines how ILs interact with solutes and direct their reactivity. These phenomena are explored within the context of renewable chemistry, with focus on the research areas of catalysis, solvation and electrochemistry. Cumulatively, this thesis details new insights into, and a greater understanding of, the limitations and opportunities that ILs offer in regards to controlling and directing chemical outcomes across a diverse range of systems.