As a group of organic salts consisting entirely of ions (anions and cations), ionic liquids exist in the form of a liquid at low temperatures (<100oC). These compounds have often been described as ''designer solvents'' since their physicochemical properties, e.g. viscosity, hydrophobicity / hydrophilicity, and polarity, can be controlled by flexible selection of suitable ionic components.  We have recently studied various ionic liquids in gel electrophoresis. These ionic liquids were chosen based on their significant physiochemical properties such as solubility in aqueous solution, good conductivity, and hydrophobicity. In this regard, we have synthesized hydrophobic ionic liquids having long-chained alkyl group and various cationic head groups and have examined them in gel electrophoresis systems as buffer modifier. Fluorescence studies were performed to understand protein-ionic liquid interactions and were used to determine the appropriate ionic liquid for particular buffer modification in PAGE.  The results of these studies will be discussed in detail.

Ionic liquids for improved separations in gel electrophoresis

245th National Meeting (2013)

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