Extractive desalination of sea water using a special class of polar organic solvents

A method for extracting water from saltwater, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) adding a polar organic solvent to the saltwater to form a mixture, where the polar organic solvent has the following properties:
• (i) dissolves water at or above 10% v/v at room temperature;
• (ii) has a water solubility that decreases with increasing temperature;
• (iii) is liquid at room temperature;
• (iv) has a boiling point above that of water at a standard pressure (760 mm Hg);
• and
• (v) derives its polarity from one or more groups selected from unsubstituted or substituted amide, sulfoxide, sulfone, hydroxyl, and ether groups;
• (b) heating the mixture to form a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase;
• and
• (c) separating the first organic phase from the mixture,
• wherein the organic solvent has the formula (I):
• where
• (a) R1 is selected from acyclic or cyclic hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more of chloro, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or —NO2;
• and
• R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, acyclic or cyclic hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more of chloro, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or —NO2;
• or
• (b) R1 and R2 are joined to form a 5- or 6-member ring;
• and
• R3 is selected from hydrogen, acyclic or cyclic hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more of chloro, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or —NO2.