BACKGROUNDTo improve the quality of wastewater and thereby to meet the standards as per environmental production agency in US and UK. In the present work, Malachite green (MG) and Naphthol Green B (NGB) has been taken as model dyes in wastewater. Solvent extraction process was carried out using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as an alternative solvent for organic and ionic liquids.RESULTSThe possible molecular interaction between DESs and selective dyes in water were analyzed and discussed in details using volumetric properties including excess molar volume , partial molar volume , excess partial molar volume , apparent molar volume , isobaric thermal expansion () and excess isobaric thermal expansion (αE). Further, the extraction of selective dyes was conducted and characterized in terms of extraction efficiency (η), effect of temperature on extraction efficiency, effect of shaking time on extraction efficiency, effect of concentration on extraction efficiency, effect of HBD on extraction efficiency, distribution coefficient (D). Finally, the thermodynamic extraction feasibility was analysed by means of Gibbs free energy , change in enthalpy , and change in entropy .CONCLUSIONThere is possible molecular interaction between hydrophilic DESs and NGB/MG in water at molecular level. 96% of extraction efficiency was obtained for NGB using hydrophobic DESs like {[TBAB][DA]} and {[TBAB][OA]} whereas {[TBAB][DA]} and {[TBAB][OA]} gave above 72% removal efficiency of MG. Finally the thermodynamic feasibility of extraction process was analyzed and discussed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).