Neutron diffraction is a powerful technique for the elucidation of liquid-liquid and liquid-solute structures. In particular, using hydrogen/deuterium isotopic contrast experiments it is possible to highlight specific interactions of interest between species, and thus focus only on particular correlations within the system. We have previously investigated the role of both cation and anion binding to glucose monomers in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]), by neutron diffraction, 2D NMR, and complementary molecular dynamics.[1] All techniques suggested negligible interaction between [EMIM]+ and the glucose, with the predominant interaction between [OAc]� and the hydroxyl groups of the sugar monomer. Recent work by Ara�jo et al. suggests that in the dissolution of uracil by the same ionic liquid, [EMIM]+ does indeed play a role in the coordination of the nucleic acid via interaction with its carboxyl groups.[2] We have performed neutron diffraction studies on the same system in order to further investigate the structural motifs in the liquid, not only from the perspective of cation�solute interactions within imidazolium-based ionic liquids, but also in the wider context of the dissolution of biological molecules within such systems.An overview of previous results on the [EMIM][OAc]/glucose system will be given, contrasted with those of the present study, and discussed within the context of current opinion in the literature regarding cation/solute binding in ionic liquid systems.[3] The utility of neutron diffraction with isotopic substitution in these systems will also be discussed.[1] T. G. A. Youngs et al. Chem. Sci. 2, 1594 (2011).[2] J. M. M. Ara�jo et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 117, 4109-4120 (2013).[3] See, for example; B. Lu & A. Xu, J. Wang, Green Chem. 16, 1326 (2014).

Neutron diffraction studies of solvent�solute interactions in ionic liquids

248th National Meeting (2014)

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