Experimental and theoretical studies on starch dissolution with hydroxyl-based ionic liquids: number of hydroxyl group and alkyl chain length
摘要
Four hydroxyl-based ionic liquids, 1-methyl-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-imidazolium chloride ([POM][Cl]), 1-methyl-3-(6-hydroxyhexyl)-imidazolium chloride ([HOM][Cl]), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-imidazolium chloride ([DPE][Cl]), and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(6-hydroxyhexyl)-imidazolium chloride ([DHE][Cl]), were prepared for starch dissolution. Corn starch dissolution features in hydroxyl-based ionic liquids were evaluated. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to elucidate the starch dissolution mechanism. The viscosity and density of hydroxyl-based ionic liquids increased with the second hydroxyl group introduction, while decreased as comparison of hydroxypropyl to hydroxyhexyl group. At the same temperature, the complete corn starch dissolution time in hydroxyl-based ionic liquids followed: [DPE][Cl] < [DHE][Cl] < [POM][Cl] < [HOM][Cl]. The different starch dissolution feature was attributed to the different hydroxyl group numbers and alkyl chain length in imidazolium cation. Two hydroxyl groups of imidazolium cation ([DPE]+) demonstrated three strong O-H‧‧‧O hydrogen bonds with maltose. The average hydrogen bond length of maltose-[DPE][Cl] (1.929 Å) was shorter than maltose-[DHE][Cl] (2.077 Å). Maltose-[POM][Cl] (2.085 Å) was shorter than maltose-[HOM][Cl] (2.197 Å). Hydrogen bonding information, interaction energy (ΔH), Noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis, and Electrostatic potential (ESP) analysis from DFT calculations demonstrated that cation-maltose, ionic liquid-maltose interactions increased with the second hydroxyl group introduction, while decreased as comparison of hydroxypropyl to hydroxyhexyl group. This information will provide knowledge concerning the design and development of hydroxyl-based ionic liquids for starch dissolution and broaden the industrial application of starch-based materials.