A QSPR approach to the ecotoxicity of ionic liquids (Vibrio fischeri) using VolSurf Principal Properties

Recently derived in silico structural descriptors for both ILs cations and anions allowed the development of a QSPR model correlating ionic liquids structures to Vibrio fischeri toxicity using the partial least squares (PLS) approach. Interpretation of the PLS model confirmed the effect of ILs cationic structural features such as the influence of cations side chain length, presence of heteroatoms, and non-aromaticity of the heterocyclic scaffold on toxicity. The PLS model provided also a quantitative evaluation of anion effect, previously not evidenced due to the structural similarity of the anions considered. A simple equation in which three descriptors (two for the cations and one for the anions) allow the prediction of Vibrio fischeri toxicity for over 8000 ILs is reported.