SYNTHESIS OF [BMIM][PF6] AND ITS APPLICATION IN LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION

Abstract

The chemical industry is under considerable pressure to replace many of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are currently used as solvents in organic synthesis. The toxic and/or hazardous properties of many solvents are making their use prohibitive. Now, environment is looking for green revolution and that can be achieved by following the principles of "Green Processing". Keeping this in mind, it was intended to work on Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs), regarded as agents of green processing and green synthesis. In the present study, 1-buty1-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) has been selected for synthesis, characterization and use as solvent in liquid — liquid extraction. FTIR and TG, DSC analysis was carried out to check for its affinity with water and its degradation behavior, respectively. It was found that heating upto 100 °C or under vacuum did not help in eliminating water content from the RTIL. Aluminium is found to catalyzed the degradation of RTIL at least 50 °C lower temperature compared to that found for alumina. Extractions were carried out for ethanol-water system with different concentration. To study the reusability and its performance after regeneration, experiments were carried out.