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Efficient Solvent Extraction of Phenol Using Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids
* 1, 2 , 1 , 1 , 3
1  Laboratoire de Catalyse et Synthèse en Chimie Organique, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Tlemcen, B.P.119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
2  Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tlemcen, 12 B P 123 Hamri Ahmed, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
3  Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire et Thioorganique, UMR CNRS 6507, INC3M, FR 3038, ENSICAEN et Université de Caen Normandie, 14050 Caen, France
Academic Editor: Julio A. Seijas

Abstract:

Since their initial discovery, Ionic Liquids (ILs) have garnered interest from both the industrial and academic communities due to their numerous potential applications, owing to their distinctive properties. The number of existing Ionic Liquids is very significant and could be infinite, given the wide range of possibilities for combinations between cations (Ammonium, Sulfonium, Phosphonium) and anions (Organic or Inorganic). Imidazolium salts form the largest family of Ionic Liquids, it is the one that has captured our attention.

Phenolic compounds are important substances in the chemical industry and are primarily derived from coal liquefaction oil, petroleum, and biomass. However, the conventional method of phenol separation using either alkaline or acidic water leads to significant environmental issues.

In this study, a series of Imidazolium-functionalized Ionic Liquids (ILs: [EtO2C2mim]Br, [EtO2C2mim]BF4, and [EtO2C2mim]PF6) were synthesized, characterized, and their extraction abilities for phenol in a model solution of hexane and phenol were investigated using a UV-visible spectrophotometry titration method.

The results showed that Imidazolium-functionalized Ionic Liquids: [EtO2C2mim]Br, [EtO2C2mim]BF4, and [EtO2C2mim]PF6 can extract 99%, 77%, and 16% of phenol, respectively, with the best extraction performance observed with [EtO2C2mim]Br. The results indicated that the extraction efficiencies of the three ILs were significantly influenced by the nature of the anion. Overall, these ILs demonstrate high potential for phenol extraction and can be considered a powerful alternative for wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Ionic Liquids, Phenol, Liquid Extraction, Imidazolium
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