Ionic liquids as diluents in solvent extraction: first evidence of supramolecular aggregation of a couple of extractant molecules.

Ionic liquids have many favorable properties over conventional diluents in solvent extraction. They provide an environmentally benign feature, adjustable polarity and, in some cases, higher extraction performances that remain however not predictable. As it may have a major role in extraction mechanisms, we evidence the supramolecular aggregation of HDEHP/TOPO extractant molecules in the [OMim][NTf2] ionic liquid.