Separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from alkanes using the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis{(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl}amide

Abstract

The liquid–liquid equilibrium for the ternary system formed by hexane, benzene and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}amide, [C2mim][NTf2], has been experimentally determined at 25 °C and 40 °C. The results show that the [C2mim][NTf2] can selectively remove benzene from its mixtures with hexane, suggesting that this ionic liquid can be used as an alternative solvent in liquid extraction processes for the removal of aromatic compounds from their mixtures with alkanes.