Application of ionic liquids in microextraction techniques: current trends and future perspectives

Abstract Ionic liquids (ILs) with their unique properties found so far numerous analytical applications. Among them ILs both in their liquid form and immobilized on the surface or within the pores of a solid support were successfully utilized in microextraction techniques. The scope of this review will cover a comprehensive summarizing of available literature data on selected properties of ILs playing a key role in analytical purposes, methods of their implementation in microextraction techniques as liquid or solid/stationary extraction media and finally, the most recent examples of application of ILs-based microextraction techniques in preconcentration of analytes from food, environmental and biological samples. The work will be concluded with directions for further investigation in this field.