Recent advances in ionic liquid‐based materials for extractive‐catalytic oxidative desulfurization

Abstract The removal of sulfur‐containing compounds from fuels is a critical step to mitigate sulfur oxide (SO x ( x = 2, 3)) emissions and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Among various strategies, extractive and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) has emerged as a promising alternative or complement to conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS), owing to its mild operating conditions and high efficiency toward refractory sulfur species. Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted growing attention as green solvents and multifunctional catalysts in ECODS systems. This review summarizes recent advances in IL‐based desulfurization, with emphasis on four representative categories: acidic, polyoxometalate‐based, supported, and magnetic ILs. The underlying reaction pathways, including radical‐ and peroxo‐metal‐mediated oxidation mechanisms, are discussed in relation to the structural features of ILs. The advantages and limitations of each system are analyzed, particularly in terms of catalytic activity, selectivity, recyclability, and potential for industrial application. Finally, perspectives are provided on the design of task‐specific ILs and the integration of IL‐based catalysts into practical desulfurization processes.