Application of 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide for desulfurization, denitrification and dearomatization of FCC gasoline

•LLE for [C5mim][Tf2N] – (pyridine or thiophene) – hydrocarbon were determined.•The equilibrium data were well described with NRTL and UNIQUAC models.•Equilibrium in the seven-component systems was successfully predicted.•[C5mim][Tf2N] has potential for denitrification of real refinery FCC gasoline.

Liquid–liquid equilibria for the three-component systems with ionic liquid [C5mim][Tf2N] – (pyridine or thiophene) – hydrocarbon (toluene or n-hexane or n-heptane or i-octane) were determined at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. In addition, the applicability of [C5mim][Tf2N] as selective solvent for desulfurization, denitrification and dearomatization of a model six-component hydrocarbon solution as well as real refinery FCC gasoline was investigated on the laboratory scale. The equilibrium data in three-component and seven-component (model solution + ionic liquid) systems were well described with NRTL and UNIQUAC models. The suitability of ionic liquid for extractive desulfurization and denitrification was evaluated in terms of solute distribution ratio and selectivity, as well as extraction effectiveness.