Ionic Liquids: An Ever-evolving Discipline

Abstract

Ionic liquids have evolved over the time as a greener alternative to the conventional volatile organic solvents. This mini review article aims to provide a brief introduction to these ionic liquids and their various classifications. This article also provides a brief idea on the unique physicochemical properties of the ionic liquids (ILs), which include conductivity, viscosity, electrochemical and thermal stability, acidity, density, surface tension, surfactant properties and solvatochromic parameters. The versatile applications of the ionic liquids by the virtue of their unique physicochemical properties are also discussed concisely. The concluding part of the chapter highlights the various challenges associated with the use of ionic liquids and their potential applications in the future.