Design of sustainable ionic liquids based on l-phenylalanine and l-alanine dipeptides: Synthesis, toxicity and biodegradation studies

A series of dipeptide ionic liquids (ILs) with l-phenylalanine and l-alanine fragments in structure were synthesized their possible degradation pathways analyzed. Based on this analysis, potential transformation products (PTPs) proposed synthesized. All these compounds (25 total) went through microbial toxicity screening aerobic biodegradation testing. Obtained results demonstrated that by investigating ILs PTPs a fragment (in tandem single amino acid analogues), the design high values closed bottle test can be accomplished. One finding was within scope studied, containing more biodegradable than derivatives. In addition to choice residue, its position IL also had significant effect biodegradability. PyCH2CO-Phe-Ala-OEt IL, where close proximity positively charged pyridinium sub-unit, gave higher percentages compared PyCH2CO-Ala-Phe-OEt alanine closer phenylalanine residue. Analysis data showed presence an residue resulted undesirable (less green) often phenylalanine, especially when headgroup. both testing preferable less subunits chosen for new sustainable chemicals based acids. Results from study demonstrate designing using moieties as part structure.