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Deep eutactic solvent

6 cited papers · March 21, 2026 · Powered by Researchly AI

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Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are a class of alternative solvents that have attracted significant research attention over the past two decades. first demonstrat…

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are a class of alternative solvents that have attracted significant research attention over the past two decades.1Abbott et al. (2002)2first demonstrated that eutectic mixtures of urea and quaternary ammonium salts are liquid at ambient temperatures and possess interesting solvent properties. Since then, the field has expanded considerably, though it is hindered by numerous misconceptions regarding the very definition and green credentials of DESs.1Abranches & Coutinho (2023)1
1
Everything You Wanted to Know about Deep Eutectic Solvents but Were Afraid to Be ToldDinis O. Abranches, João A. P. Coutinho2023Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
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2
Novel solvent properties of choline chloride/urea mixturesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: spectroscopic data. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b210714g/Andrew P. Abbott, Glen Capper et al.2002Chemical Communications
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  • Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) — A mixture of two or more components that, at a particular composition, exhibits a melting point significantly below ideal thermodynamic predictions, becoming liquid at or near room temperature.
1
  • "Deep" vs. "Eutectic" — The prefix "deep" should only be applied when the melting point is significantly below ideal predictions; otherwise, the simpler term "eutectic solvent" (ES) should be used, requiring a phase diagram for correct classification. Andruch et al. (2022)
  • Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) — When DES components are primary metabolites such as amino acids, organic acids, sugars, or choline derivatives, they are termed NADES and are considered to fully represent green chemistry principles.
2
  • Hydrogen Bonding Network — The nanoscopic structure of DESs is rooted in an extended hydrogen bonding network between components, which governs the physicochemical properties of the fluid.
1Gutiérrez et al. (2023)3
1
Novel solvent properties of choline chloride/urea mixturesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: spectroscopic data. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b210714g/Andrew P. Abbott, Glen Capper et al.2002Chemical Communications
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2
Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents – Solvents for the 21st CenturyAlexandre Paiva, Rita Craveiro et al.2014ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
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3
Nature of a Tetrabutylammonium Chloride–Levulinic Acid Deep Eutectic SolventAlberto Gutiérrez, Sara Rozas et al.2023Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
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Diagram
DES Formation
─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 Component A Component B
(e.g., Choline Cl) + (e.g., Urea / Organic Acid)
 │ │
 └──────────┬─────────────┘
 ▼
 Hydrogen Bond Interaction
 (Donor–Acceptor Network)
 ▼
 Eutectic Mixture (Liquid at RT)
 ▼
 ┌─────────────────────────────┐
 │ Characterization Methods │
 │ - Phase Diagram │
 │ - Quantum Chemistry │
 │ - Molecular Dynamics (MD) │
 │ - Dielectric Spectroscopy │
 └─────────────────────────────┘
 ▼
 Applications:
 Electrochemistry | Nanotechnology
 Biomass Processing | Sensors | Drug Delivery
DESs are often compared to ionic liquids (ILs) as alternative green solvents.1Both ILs and DESs have been explored for various applications. In electrochemical applications, lithium-doped DESs (e.g., glyceline with LiCl) are studied as electrolytes for batteries and supercapacitors; lithium admixture reduces ionic conductivity compared to pure DES, but raw-material costs remain significantly lower than eutectic mixtures where lithium salt is a main component. Schulz et al. (2024) In nanotechnology, ionic liquids and DESs serve as non-aqueous solvents for DNA nanotechnology, offering unique electrolyte and solvent roles while maintaining the stability and functionality of nucleic acids.213Beñat (2024)2
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History repeats itself again: Will the mistakes of the past for ILs be repeated for DESs? From being considered ionic liquids to becoming their alternative: the unbalanced turn of deep eutectic solventsJoão Afonso, Andrea Mezzetta et al.2022Green Chemistry
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2
DNA nanotechnology in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.Olave Beñat2024Critical reviews in biotechnology
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3
Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents – Solvents for the 21st CenturyAlexandre Paiva, Rita Craveiro et al.2014ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
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Table
FeatureDESIonic Liquids (ILs)
PreparationSimple mixingComplex synthesis
CostLowHigh
BiodegradabilityVariable (often poor for choline-based)Often poor
TunabilityHighHigh
Green credentialsDebatedChallenged
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A major limitation is that many DESs, particularly choline-based DESs, lack sufficient sustainability-related traits — including biodegradability and low toxicity — to be genuinely classified as green solvents. Abranches & Coutinho (2023)1Furthermore, the term "DES" is widely misused in the literature; authors in analytical chemistry rarely perform the detailed phase diagram analysis required to correctly distinguish a true DES from a simple eutectic solvent.2

Andruch et al. (2022)

1
Everything You Wanted to Know about Deep Eutectic Solvents but Were Afraid to Be ToldDinis O. Abranches, João A. P. Coutinho2023Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
View
2
Nature of a Tetrabutylammonium Chloride–Levulinic Acid Deep Eutectic SolventAlberto Gutiérrez, Sara Rozas et al.2023Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
View
  • DESs were first reported as eutectic mixtures of urea and quaternary ammonium salts that are liquid at ambient temperature.
1Abbott et al. (2002)1
  • Correct classification as "deep" eutectic requires a phase diagram showing significant deviation from ideal melting point predictions. Andruch et al. (2022)
  • The hydrogen bonding network between components is the fundamental nanoscopic feature governing DES properties.
1Gutiérrez et al. (2023)2
  • Lithium-doped DESs show promise as low-cost electrolytes for batteries, though lithium admixture reduces ionic conductivity relative to pure DES. Schulz et al. (2024)
1
Novel solvent properties of choline chloride/urea mixturesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: spectroscopic data. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b210714g/Andrew P. Abbott, Glen Capper et al.2002Chemical Communications
View
2
Nature of a Tetrabutylammonium Chloride–Levulinic Acid Deep Eutectic SolventAlberto Gutiérrez, Sara Rozas et al.2023Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
View
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  1. "Phase diagram determination methods for deep eutectic solvents"
  2. "Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) in pharmaceutical and drug delivery applications"
  3. "Comparison of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for biomass pretreatment"

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