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Understanding the Formation of Deep Eutectic Solvents: Betaine as a Universal Hydrogen Bond Acceptor
Author(s) -
Abranches Dinis O.,
Silva Liliana P.,
Martins Mónia A. R.,
Pinho Simão P.,
Coutinho João A. P.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202001331
Subject(s) - betaine , eutectic system , osmolyte , deep eutectic solvent , chemistry , hydrogen bond , urea , organic chemistry , molecule , alloy , biochemistry
The mechanism of formation of betaine‐based deep eutectic solvents (DES) is presented for the first time. Due to its polarity unbalance, it was found that betaine displays strong negative deviations from ideality when mixed with a variety of different organic substances. These results pave the way for a comprehensive design of novel deep eutectic solvents. A connection to biologically relevant systems was made using betaine (osmolyte) and urea (protein denaturant), showing that these two compounds formed a DES, the molecular interactions of which were greatly enhanced in the presence of water.