摘要 |
<p>A process for extracting aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixed aliphatic/aromatic feed in which the feed is contacted with a solvent comprising liquid salt of the formula… [R4Q] [A]… wherein Q is N, P or As, A is a monovalent or polyvalent anion, R4Q is a monovalent or polyvalent cation, the cations being in sufficient number to render the salt electrically neutral, R is a hydrocarbon radical independently selected from linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl, C5-C10 cycloalkyl, C7-C20 aralkyl and alkaryl and C6-C10 aryl, including inert or unreactive substituents thereon, and mixtures thereof, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the four R radicals is at least 16, and wherein not more than one R radical is methyl. The contacting step is performed above the melting point and below the decomposition point of the liquid salt.</p> |