Computer-Aided Molecular Design of New Task-Specific Ionic Liquids for Extractive Desulfurization of Gasoline

New ionic liquids (ILs) for extractive removal of organic sulfur compounds from gasoline are proposed following the results of computer-aided molecular design (CAMD), comprising application of the extensive group contribution model for infinite dilution activity coefficients of molecular solutes in ILs presented previously [J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2016, 56, 1420-1437]. Infinite dilution selectivity of model system thiophene/n-heptane was adopted as a benchmark property. The proposed structures, selected on the basis of screening of almost 25 800 cation anion combinations, were synthesized and characterized from the point of view of their thermal behavior and fundamental physical properties, density, and dynamic viscosity. Besides, general remarks regarding an impact of cation/anion structure on extraction selectivity are highlighted and discussed based on the calculations carried out. Liquid-liquid phase equilibrium diagrams in ternary systems {IL + thiophene + n-heptane} were determined at T = 308.15 K in the entire range of feed composition in order to verify robustness and reliability of the applied CAMD approach. Finally, performance of the proposed extraction solvents in thiophene/n-heptane separation is confronted against 39 other ILs reported in the literature.