This mini-review briefly describes the recent progress in the design and development of catalysts based on the presence of ionic liquids. In particular, the focus was on heterogeneous systems (supported ionic liquid (IL) phase catalysts (SILPC), solid catalysts with ILs (SCILL), porous liquids), which due to the low amounts of ionic liquids needed for their production, eliminate basic problems observed in the case of the employment of ionic liquids in homogeneous systems, such as high price, high viscosity, and efficient isolation from post-reaction mixtures.

The article presents a very simple method of synthesis and application of a halogen and formaldehyde free, P, S and Si-containing flame retardant for the durable finishing of cotton fabric. The compound was obtained as a result of the thiol-ene click reaction. The compound was designed to have two functional groups: an alkoxysilyl group for cross-linking and binding to the cotton fabric, and a phosphate group to provide flame retardant properties. The flame retardant was applied to cotton fabric using the sol–gel method. According to the pyrolysis-combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC) technique, the use of the obtained silane for cotton treatment can reduce heat release rate (HRR) to almost 75% compared to the raw fabric. FT-IR analyses and SEM images indicate that impregnated cotton samples were covered with a layer of silanes. The SEM–EDS analysis confirmed successful modification of cotton fabrics. After 10 cycles of washing it was found that the created coatings are resistant to washing and retain their flame retardant properties.

The syntheses and full spectral (NMR, MS, and IR), thermal (DSC) and ion chromatographic characterization of two series of amine-derived ionic liquids bearing allyl substituents and having chloride or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide anions have been presented. The analysis of the dependence of the ¹H NMR chemical shift values of the selected protons on the cation and anion structure has been conducted. DSC analysis records together with ion chromatography analysis results have been presented and interpreted. Moreover, a selection of obtained chloride ionic liquids have been transformed into the corresponding chlorocobaltates and chlorozincates or used as substrates in thiol–ene click reactions to indicate their potential as precursors of catalysts or various surface modifiers.