Practical considerations associated with voltammetric studies in room temperature ionic liquids

Recent developments associated with voltammetric studies in ionic liquid media have been critically reviewed. Initially, advantageous electrochemical properties of ionic liquids are summarised, as are limitations encountered by the presence of impurities and problems related to purification and recovery of ionic liquids. Subsequently, the use of IUPAC recommended ferrocene oxidation and cobalticenium reduction processes as potential reference scales in ionic liquids and the application of voltammetry of adhered solid and microchemical approaches to the measurement of formal potentials and kinetics of coupled first order chemical reactions are discussed. Finally, the possible use of volatile ionic liquids is considered as an alternative to use of the non-volatile ionic liquids media, presently emphasized in most studies.