Unexpectedly efficient SO2 capture and conversion to sulfur in novel imidazole-based deep eutectic solvents

An innovative strategy for sustainable SO2 capture and conversion in novel imidazole-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is demonstrated in this work. These DESs exhibit an extremely high SO2 loading capacity (up to 1.39 g g(-1)) and excellent reversibility (15 recycles). The absorbed SO2 can be rapidly converted in situ to sulphur (up to 99% conversion) in the presence of H2S at room temperature without any additives.