Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are an emerging class of mixtures characterized by significant depressions in melting points compared to those of the neat constituent components. These materials are promising for applications as inexpensive “designer” solvents exhibiting a host of tunable physicochemical properties. A detailed review of the current literature reveals the lack of predictive understanding of the microscopic mechanisms that govern the structure–property relationships in this class of solvents. Complex hydrogen bonding is postulated as the root cause of their melting point depressions and physicochemical properties; to understand these hydrogen bonded networks, it is imperative to study these systems as dynamic entities using both simulations and experiments. This review emphasizes recent research efforts in order to elucidate the next steps needed to develop a fundamental framework needed for a deeper understanding of DESs. It covers recent developments in DES research, frames outstanding scientific questions, and identifies promising research thrusts aligned with the advancement of the field toward predictive models and fundamental understanding of these solvents.

中文翻译：

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深共晶溶剂：基本原理和应用综述

深共熔溶剂（DES）是一类新兴的混合物，其特征在于与纯净组分相比，熔点明显降低。这些材料因其廉价的“设计”溶剂表现出许多可调节的理化性质而有望用于应用。对现有文献的详细回顾表明，对于这类溶剂中控制结构与性质之间关系的微观机制缺乏预测性的了解。复杂的氢键被认为是其熔点降低和理化性质的根本原因。为了理解这些氢键网络，必须同时使用模拟和实验将这些系统作为动态实体进行研究。这篇综述强调了最近的研究工作，以阐明为开发对DES的更深入了解所需的基本框架而需要采取的下一步措施。它涵盖了DES研究的最新进展，提出了突出的科学问题，并确定了与该领域对预测模型和对这些溶剂的基本理解相一致的有前途的研究重点。