Exploring the Molecular Interactions between d-Glucose and Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid in Aqueous Mediums at T = (288.15–318.15) K through a Physicochemical Approach

Understanding biopolymer-ionic liquid interactions is key to the solvation and dissolution mechanisms. For a deeper understanding of structural interactions, it is essential to have accurate physiochemical data on the imidazolium-based IL and biopolymer model compound (d-glucose) in aqueous solutions. In this regard, we studied the volumetric and compressibility properties of d-glucose in aqueous and aqueous 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 mol·kg^–1 1-methyl imidazole trifluoromethanesulfonate [MIm][OTf] ionic liquid solutions at various concentrations and temperatures. The limiting apparent molar volume of the solute (V_ϕ⁰) and compressibility of the solute (K_S,ϕ⁰) properties were used to interpret the strength and extent of solute–solvent interactions in the studied systems. The observed increase in V_ϕ⁰ and K_S,ϕ⁰ with temperature and [MIm][OTf] concentration suggests the dehydration effect of [MIm][OTf] on d-glucose solutions. Moreover, to study the potential solute-co-solute interactions, transfer volume (Δ_trV_ϕ⁰) and transfer compressibility (Δ_trK_s,ϕ⁰) have been computed. The positive outcome of Δ_trV_ϕ⁰ and Δ_trK_s,ϕ⁰ data reveals the dominance of hydrophilic-cation interactions. The kosmotropic nature of d-glucose in aqueous [MIm][OTf] solutions is confirmed by the positive Hepler’s constant values. Overall, this study sheds light on several physicochemical interactions occurring in the systems and shows the presence of significant attractive interactions among [MIm][OTf] and d-glucose.