Magnetic ionic liquids in analytical chemistry: A review

Magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) have recently generated a cascade of innovative applications in numerous areas of analytical chemistry. By incorporating a paramagnetic component within the cation or anion, MILs exhibit a strong response toward external magnetic fields. Careful design of the MIL structure has yielded magnetoactive compounds with unique physicochemical properties including high magnetic moments, enhanced hydrophobicity, and the ability to solvate a broad range of molecules. The structural tunability and paramagnetic properties of MILs have enabled magnet-based technologies that can easily be added to the analytical method workflow, complement needed extraction requirements, or target specific analytes. This review highlights the application of MILs in analytical chemistry and examines the important structural features of MILs that largely influence their physicochemical and magnetic properties. [Display omitted] •Review of magnetic ionic liquid applications in analytical chemistry.•MILs can be designed for extractions, chromatography, and chemical sensing.•Relationships between MIL structure and physicochemical properties examined.•Advantages of MILs in magnet-based technologies are discussed.