ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED AROMATIC COMPOUND AND EXTRACTION USING IONIC LIQUID

Abstract

The magnitude of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment has motivated scientists to find a solution to hazardous chemicals in the environment as the 2030 sustainable development goals agenda anticipates reducing hazardous chemicals that can negatively impact human health and the environment. This study adopts the quantitative research method where anthracene and phenanthrene were purchased from Fisher Scientific U.K and tested for their extraction potential using 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium (propyIMBr) ionic liquid (IL), synthesised using microwave technology. The results showed phenanthrene is soluble at 74°C while anthracene is soluble at 140°C. Thus, it can be extracted successfully under prescribed conditions and possibly recycle the recovered propyIMIMBr-IL. The study concludes that propyIMIMBr-IL can proffer novel solutions in the selective extraction and recovery of the three fused benzene ring PAHs, which can be explored for the remediation of contaminated soils and material reuse opportunities.