Structures and Interactions of Ionic Liquids (Structure and Bonding)

Hardcover, vii + 197 pages. Ex-university library, marked "discard"; an external stamp on all outer page edges, a label taped across lower spine/front board, one internal label inside front board. Book looks unread, clean and bright with unmarked text. Issued without a dust jacket. -- An overview of the structural chemistry, physicochemical properties, and interaction dynamics of ionic liquids (ILs), drawing on a decade of cutting-edge research from China's leading scientific institutions. Structured around six thematically connected chapters, the book synthesizes experimental and theoretical insights on the microscopic ordering, aggregation behavior, hydrogen bonding, and spectroscopic signatures of ILs, with an emphasis on the implications of structural variation for practical applications. Chapter 1 introduces foundational principles of ionic liquid structure and interaction, emphasizing the roles of electrostatics, hydrogen bonding, and dispersion forces. Particular focus is placed on imidazolium-based ILs, exploring how variations in cation/anion combinations influence viscosity, conductivity, melting point, and vaporization enthalpy. The chapter provides a quantitative correlation between structural parameters and macroscopic properties, drawing attention to the importance of non-covalent interactions in determining functional behavior. Chapter 2 explores aggregation phenomena in IL systems, examining the formation of nano-domains and ion clusters through both experimental (e.g., small-angle X-ray scattering) and theoretical models. This section offers valuable insights into the microphase separation tendencies of ILs, an emerging area of interest for researchers working on solvation environments and self-assembly in soft matter. Chapter 3 discusses the dissolution of biomass in ILs, a critical application in green chemistry and sustainable materials science. It evaluates the molecular mechanisms that underpin cellulose solubilization and highlights the role of IL structure in facilitating efficient biomass deconstruction - providing key information for researchers working on biofuel development, biorefinery processes, and lignocellulosic valorization. Chapter 4 transitions to thermodynamics, presenting comprehensive data and models on the enthalpies of vaporization, melting, and solvation in various IL systems. The treatment links thermodynamic quantities to structural motifs, offering a predictive framework for the rational design of task-specific ILs. This is particularly useful for chemists and engineers engaged in solvent screening and process intensification. Chapter 5 examines how molecular structure governs the physical and chemical properties of ILs, such as polarity, electrochemical windows, and hydrophilicity. It provides guidance for tailoring ILs for specific industrial and laboratory functions, such as CO₂ capture, electrochemistry, and catalysis. The discussion includes comparative assessments of fluorinated versus halide-based ILs, and evaluates the impact of side chain length and symmetry on system behavior. Chapter 6 concludes with a spectroscopy-based analysis of IL microstructure. Using techniques such as IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy, the chapter deciphers the local ordering and dynamic motion of ions in bulk phases and interfaces. These results are of particular relevance to researchers seeking to integrate ILs into nanomaterials, batteries, and interface chemistry. The book fills a critical gap in the literature by combining high-quality crystallographic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic data with theoretical modeling to understand ILs as structurally complex fluids. As the field moves beyond phenomenological applications toward the rational engineering of ILs for energy, materials, and environmental challenges, this volume offers both conceptual depth and practical frameworks. For chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and process engineers.…