Biocompatible Solvents and Ionic Liquid-Based Surfactants as Sustainable Components to Formulate Environmentally Friendly Organized Systems

DIB, NAHIR; LÉPORI, CRISTIAN M. O.; CORREA, N. MARIANO; SILBER, JUANA J.; FALCONE, R. DARIO; GARCÍA-RÍO, LUIS

Polymers

MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL-MDPI

Año: 2021 vol. 13 p. 1378 - 1412

In this review, we deal with the formation and application of biocompatible water-in-oilmicroemulsions commonly known as reverse micelles (RMs). These RMs are extremely importantto facilitate the dissolution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds for biocompatibility in applicationsin drug delivery, food science, and nanomedicine. The combination of two wisely chosentypes of compounds such as biocompatible non-polar solvents and ionic liquids (ILs) with amphiphiliccharacter (surface-active ionic liquids, SAILs) can be used to generate organized systemsthat perfectly align with the Green Chemistry concepts. Thus, we describe the current state of SAILs(protic and aprotic) to prepare RMs using non-polar but safe solvents such as esters derived fromfatty acids, among others. Moreover, the use of the biocompatible solvents as the external phase inRMs and microemulsions/nanoemulsions with the other commonly used biocompatible surfactantsis detailed showing the diversity of preparations and important applications. As shown by multipleexamples, the properties of the RMs can be modified by changes in the type of surfactant and/orexternal solvents but a key fact to note is that all these modifications generate novel systems withdissimilar properties. These interesting properties cannot be anticipated or extrapolated, and deepanalysis is always required. Finally, the works presented provide valuable information about theuse of biocompatible RMs, making them a green and promising alternative toward efficient andsustainable chemistry.