Solute-induced dissolution of hydrophobic ionic liquids in water

Significant solubilization of ostensibly water-immiscible ionic liquids (ILs) in acidic aqueous phases is induced by the presence of any of a variety of neutral extractants, the apparent result of the formation of the protonated form of the extractant and its subsequent exchange for the cationic component of the IL. The extent of this solubilization is shown to diminish with increasing hydrophobicity of the IL cation and decreasing extractant basicity. These observations raise concerns as to the viability of ILs as “drop in replacements” for traditional organic solvents in the solvent extraction of metal ions.