Extractive Desulfurization Using Fe-Containing Ionic Liquids

Abstract

FeIII-containing ionic liquids (ILs), prepared from the reaction of anhydrous FeCl3 and imidazolium chloride ([imidazolium]Cl), were used as effective extractants for the desulfurization of a model oil containing dibenzothiophene (DBT). The amount of DBT extracted increased with an increasing molar ratio of FeCl3/[imidazolium]Cl. The ability of the ILs to extract DBT seems to be attributed to the combined effects of Lewis acidity and fluidity of ILs.