BRANCHED ALIPHATIC ACID AS LIQUID CATION EXCHANGERS

Removing an organic compound from an aqueous solution, comprises (a) providing the aqueous solution containing the organic compound and a hydrophobic organic solution, where the hydrophobic organic solution comprises a liquid hydrophobic cation exchangers, (b) contacting the aqueous solution and the hydrophobic organic solvent, and (c) separating the hydrophobic organic solvent form the aqueous solution. Removing an organic compound from an aqueous solution, comprises (a) providing the aqueous solution containing the organic compound and a hydrophobic organic solution, where the hydrophobic organic solution comprises a liquid hydrophobic cation exchangers, (b) contacting the aqueous solution and the hydrophobic organic solvent, and (c) separating the hydrophobic organic solvent form the aqueous solution, where the liquid hydrophobic cation exchanger is a saturated alkanecarboxylic acid having at least one alkyl substituent, and the organic compound has at least one positive charge and a neutral net charge or positive net charge. An independent claim is included for a reaction mixture comprising the aqueous solution containing the organic compound and the hydrophobic organic solution.