To evaluate the feasibility of extraction
of 1-methylimidazole
from its low-concentration aqueous solution by ionic liquids, the
liquid–liquid equilibrium of the ternary system of water +
1-methylimidazole + ionic liquid ([Hmim][PF6], [Omim][PF6], or [Omim][BF4]) was determined at 303.15 K and
atmospheric pressure. The distribution coefficient and selectivity
were calculated in accordance with the experimental results. The effects
of the anion and cation of ionic liquids on the separation ability
were discussed. The results indicated that the extraction capacity
increased with increasing cationic carbon chain length, and the change
of anions significantly affected the distribution coefficient and
selectivity. As expected, the three ionic liquids were feasible as
extractants for separating 1-methylimidazole from water. It also indicated
that [Omim][PF6] was a more suitable extractant than [Hmim][PF6] and [Omim][BF4] for the extraction. The highest
distribution coefficient and selectivity of [Omim][PF6]
could reach 1.71 and 111.92, respectively, indicating [Omim][PF6] as a good choice for extracting 1-methylimidazole from water.
In addition, the non-random two-liquid model was employed to successfully
correlate the experimental data with a root-mean-square deviation
of less than 0.0188. Moreover, a GUI-MATLAB tool was used to verify
the consistency of the correlated parameters.