Determination of Vapor Liquid Equilibrium of Methyl Acetate plus Methanol+1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Dialkylphosphates at 101.3 kPa

Isobaric vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) values at 101.3 kPa of binary methyl acetate + methanol, binary methyl acetate + ionic liquids (ILs), binary methanol + ILs, and ternary methyl acetate + methanol + ILs are measured, where the ILs are 1,3-dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([1VIMIM][DMP]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([EMIM]-[DEP]), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dibutylphosphate ([BARM][DBP]). The azeotropic point of methyl acetate + methanol is removed with addition of ILs, and [MMIM] [DMP] gives the largest effect, followed by [EMIM] DEP] and EBMIMEDBP]. Salting-out effect from ILs is observed where the relative volatility of methyl acetate is increased. The minimum amount of such phosphate ILs required to break the azeotropic point is remarkably less than that of some other 11s; also such phosphate ILs are fluorine-free and easily prepared with cheaper starting materials. The experimental VLE data are correlated well with electrolyte NRTL model.