Separation of toluene and heptane by liquid–liquid extraction using z-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate isomers (z = 2, 3, or 4) at T = 313.2 K

The (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data for three ternary systems containing heptane, toluene, and a z-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid ([zbmpy][BF4] IL, where z = 2, 3, or 4) were determined at T = 313.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The effect of IL cation isomers on the LLE data was evaluated for the first time. The selectivity and extractive capacity from these LLE data were calculated and compared to those previously reported in the literature for the systems (heptane + toluene + [4bmpy][BF4]) and (heptane + toluene + sulfolane). The results show that the LLE data for the systems comprising the ILs with the metha- and para-substituted cations do not differ significantly from isomer to isomer. On the other hand, significant differences were observed among the systems with the ortho-substituted cation and the other two cation isomers. The degree of consistency of the experimental LLE data was ascertained by applying the Othmer–Tobias correlation. In addition, the LLE data were satisfactorily correlated by means of the thermodynamic NRTL model.