Ionic liquids were proposed as the potential replacement to the traditional organic solvents and widely used in the formation of aqueous biphasic systems

due to their unique properties

including non-volatility

low toxicity

non flammability

high chemical and thermal stability.The aqueous biphasic systems based on ionic liquids offered their extensive benefits on the extraction of biomolecules and organic compounds

such as fast extraction

simple operation

easy scale and high biocompatibility without using the harmful organic solvents and complicated apparatus.In the paper

the phase separation mechanisms of aqueous biphasic systems and their applications in separation and purification of small organic molecules and biological samples were reviewed.The advantages

drawbacks and future development of the aqueous biphasic systems were also presented.