Method for recovering metals from a spent catalyst composition

A method for recovering metals from a spent catalyst composition comprising the steps:

• a) optionally heating the spent catalyst composition containing an organic contaminant and catalytically active metals on a catalyst support,
• b) leaching the metals from the spent catalyst composition by adding under stirring an ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid is an ionic compound comprising an ammonium compound and a hydrogen bond donor,
• wherein the ammonium compound is trimethyl glycine, and wherein the hydrogen bond donor is formic acid, acetic acid, or methane sulphonic acid
• c) separating the ionic liquid, containing the leached metals, from the organic contaminant and the catalyst support by adding under stirring an anti-solvent,
• d) removing the organic contaminant and the catalyst support, and
• e) separating the leached metals from the ionic liquid.