Effect of 2-Pyrrolidone Protic Ionic Liquids on Removal of Pyridine from Fossil Fuel Model Mixtures

To reduce emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) mainly produced from the combustion of nitrogen compounds (NCs) in fossil fuels, it is necessary to decrease the NCs content in fossil fuels. 2-Pyrrolidone-based protic ionic liquids (PrILs) with three different anions were synthesized by a one-step method. The three PrILs were used as extractants to extract pyridine from the model mixtures. The extraction efficiency (EE) was considered to evaluate the extraction performance of the PrILs. The interactions between the PrILs and pyridine were analyzed by sigma-profiles, bond length, and deformation charge density. The results show that the hydrogen bond (H-bond) formed between pyridine and the three PrILs is the main driving force for the extraction of pyridine from the model mixtures.

Automated summary

To reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced from the combustion of nitrogen compounds (NCs) in fossil fuels, it is important to decrease the NCs content. In this study, three different anions-based protic ionic liquids (PrILs) were synthesized and used as extractants to extract pyridine. The results indicate that the hydrogen bond formed between pyridine and the three PrILs is the main driving force for the extraction of pyridine from the model mixtures.