Toxicity Assessment of Phosphonium Based Ionic Liquids Towards Female Guppy Fish

In this study, two phosphonium based ionic liquids (butyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride and hexyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide) have been synthesized using quarternization process. The toxicities of these ionic liquids are unknown and may be harmful to humans and the environment. Therefore, the toxicity assessment of these ionic liquids was carried Out according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 203 using female guppy fish (Poecilla reticulata). The median lethal concentrations (LC50) have been estimated for butyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride and for hexyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide to be 73.35 mg/L and 61.36 mg/L respectively. Both LC50 obtained can be identified as slightly toxic ionic liquids based on Acute Toxicity Rating Scale by by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The findings from this study can be used for better design of phosphonium-based ionic liquids,with consideration of their aquatic toxicities.