In this work, new experimental liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) data for the ternary mixtures {cyclohexane, or cyclooctane + benzene, or toluene, or ethylbenzene + ionic liquid} are reported at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The ability of the ILs as solvent for the liquid extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from its mixtures with cycloalkane was evaluated in terms of selectivity and solute distribution ratio. The experimental LLE data were correlated using the well-known NRTL model. Moreover, an extensive review of LLE data for the ternary mixtures {cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon + benzene, toluene, or ethylbenzene + ionic liquid} was carried out by collecting literature data from 2008 to 2013. From these data, the effect of the hydrocarbons and ILs on the phase behavior was analyzed and discussed. Experimental LLE data obtained for the mixtures {cyclohexane + benzene, or toluene + ionic liquid} were compared with those found in the literature using sulfolane as a solvent. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.