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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Preparation of Binary and Ternary Deep Eutectic Systems
Published on: October 31, 2019
Understanding the Formation of Deep Eutectic Solvents: Betaine as a Universal Hydrogen Bond Acceptor
Dinis O Abranches1, Liliana P Silva1, Mónia A R Martins1
1CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810193, Aveiro, Portugal.
Abstract:
The mechanism of formation of betaine-based deep eutectic solvents (DES) is presented for the first time. Due to its polarity unbalance, it was found that betaine displays strong negative deviations from ideality when mixed with a variety of different organic substances. These results pave the way for a comprehensive design of novel deep eutectic solvents. A connection to biologically relevant systems was made using betaine (osmolyte) and urea (protein denaturant), showing that these two compounds formed a DES, the molecular interactions of which were greatly enhanced in the presence of water.
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