Cyano-containing ionic liquids for the extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from an aromatic/aliphatic mixture

Ionic liquids can replace conventional solvents in aromatic/aliphatic extractions, if they have higher aromatic distribution coefficients and higher or similar aromatic/aliphatic selectivities. Also physical properties, such as density and viscosity, must be taken into account if a solvent is applied in an industrial extraction process. Cyano-containing ionic liquids have a lower density than the benchmark solvent sulfolane and a higher viscosity. Sulfolane is from a hydrodynamic point of view a better solvent than ionic liquids for the aromatic/aliphatic extraction. The most suitable ionic liquids for the extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons are [bmim]C(CN)(3), [3-mebupy]N(CN)(2), [3-mebupy]C(CN)(3), [3-mebupy]B(CN)(4) and [mebupyrr]B(CN)(4). They have factors of 1.2-2.3 higher mass-based distribution coefficients than sulfolane and a similar or higher, up to a factor of 1.9 higher, aromatic/aliphatic selectivity than sulfolane. The IL [3-mebupy]N(CN)(2) is a better extractant for the separation of toluene from a mixture of toluene/n-heptane in a pilot plant Rotating Disc Contactor (RDC) than sulfolane