Study of [EMim][ESO4] ionic liquid as solvent in the liquid–liquid extraction of xylenes from their mixtures with hexane

The aim of this work is to determine if the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate is a good solvent for the separation of xylenes and hexane by liquid extraction. With this purpose, liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems {hexane + o-xylene, or m-xylene, or p-xylene + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate} were determined at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Selectivity and solute distribution ratio, derived from the experimental equilibrium data, were calculated and used to determine if this ionic liquid can be used as a potential solvent for the extraction of xylenes from their mixtures with hexane. The experimental LLE data for the ternary systems were correlated using the NRTL and UNIQUAC models.

► [EMim][ESO4] was studied as solvent to extract xylenes from hexane.
► (Liquid + liquid) equilibrium data were measured at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure.
► Selectivity and solute distribution ratio were obtained and compared with literature.
► Experimental data were satisfactorily correlated using NRTL and UNIQUAC models.
► [EMim][ESO4] can be used as solvent for the studied (liquid + liquid) extraction.