Protic Ionic Liquids for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction: Aspects of the BZ Reaction in Protic Ionic Liquids and Its Use for the Autonomous Coil-Globule Oscillation of a Linear Polymer.

Herein, we describe the physicochemical aspects of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction in hydrated protic ionic liquids (PILs) combined with different cations with a hydrogen sulfate ([HSO4-]) anion. PILs were prepared from the neutralization reactions of sulfuric acid with 13 different aliphatic amines. The amine structure was selected to investigate the effect of the number of active protons, alkyl chain length (hydrophilicity), and cationic linearity on the mechanism of the BZ reaction. The pKa values of PILs were significantly higher (pKa = 1.0-2.5) than those of inorganic acids (H2SO4 = -3.0; HNO3 = -1.4), the conventional proton source in a BZ reaction. A periodic redox oscillation was observed in Ru(bpy)3 when appropriate amounts of BZ reaction substrates (NaBrO3 oxidant; malonic acid reductant) were added to the hydrated PILs. A long-lasting BZ oscillation was realized when hydrophilic cations (ammonium, ethylammonium, and dimethylethylammonium) were employed. Interestingly, a large ΔA5000 (oscillation amplitude of absorbance for the scale of the oscillation stability observed after 5000 s from the initiation of the BZ reaction) was achieved for PILs possessing less than four carbon atoms in their cationic structure. The apparent BZ oscillation activation energy (Ea) in the hydrated PILs was estimated to be ∼40 kJ mol-1, which is 30 kJ mol-1 less than that observed in a conventional system. The catalytic reaction in the BZ reaction subprocess suppresses the total activation energy of the reaction. To realize long-lasting self-oscillating polymeric materials acting under milder condition, we demonstrated an autonomous coil-globule polymer chain transition (BZ-driven) that directly converts chemical energy to mechanical motion in hydrated PILs without freely diffusing Ru(bpy)3 metal catalyst. Ethylammonium hydrogen sulfate ([ea-H+][HSO4-]) is selected as the suitable proton source for the BZ reaction. A well-defined self-oscillating polymer that incorporated Ru(bpy)3 metal catalyst into the polymer backbone accompanied by good compatibility in hydrated [ea-H+][HSO4-] is successfully prepared by ATRP, followed by postmodification of the metal catalyst. The rhythmic solubility changes of the polymer under milder conditions, realized by combination with PILs, will expand the potential applications of PILs to novel functional materials.