Liquid–liquid extraction of toluene from heptane by {[4bmpy][Tf2N]+[emim][CHF2CF2SO3]} ionic liquid mixed solvents

• DOI: 10.1016/j.fluid.2012.09.008
• Publication Date: 2012-09-18T18:17:02Z
• Authors: Silvia García; Julián García; Marcos Larriba; Ana Casas; Francisco Rodríguez
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0204 chemical engineering

Abstract Extraction of toluene from heptane at T = 313.2 K and atmospheric pressure using a mixed solvent composed of the ionic liquids 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([4bmpy][Tf 2 N]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate ([emim][CHF 2 CF 2 SO 3 ]) has been considered in this study. The results show that for a mole fraction of 0.3 for [4bmpy][Tf 2 N] the values of the capacity of extraction of toluene and the selectivity of the mixed solvent are higher than those of sulfolane for the whole range of compositions, taken this organic solvent as a benchmark. Therefore, this mixture of ILs could be an alternative to sulfolane in the liquid–liquid extraction of toluene from heptane.