Isobaric T, x, y data were reported for ternary systems of {water + 2-methyl-2-propanol (tert-butyl alcohol, TBA) + ionic liquid (IL)} at p = 100kPa. When the mole fraction of TBA on IL-free basis was fixed at 0.95, measurements were performed at IL mass fractions from 0.6 down to 0.05, in a way of repeated synthesis. The vapor-phase compositions were obtained by analytical methods and the liquid-phase,compositions were calculated with the aid of mass balances. Activity coefficients of water and TBA were obtained without the need of a thermodynamic model of the liquid-phase. Six ILs, composed of an anion chosen from [OAc](-) or [Cl](-), and a cation from [emim](+), or [bmim](+), or [hmim](+), were studied. Relative volatility and activity coefficients were presented in relation with the IL mole fraction, showing the effect of the ILs on a molar basis. The effect of the ILs on relative volatility of TBA to water was depicted by the effect of anions and cations on, respectively, the activity coefficients of water and TBA. The results indicated that, among the six ILs studied. [emim][Cl] has the most significant effect on enhancement of the relative volatility, which reaches a value of 7.2 at an IL mass fraction of 0.58. Another IL, [emim][OAc], has also significant effect, with an appreciable value of 5.2 for the relative volatility when the IL mass fraction is 0.6. Considering the relatively low viscosity and melting point of [emim][OAc]. it might be a favorable candidate as solvent for the separation of water and TBA by extractive distillation. Simultaneous correlation by the NRTL model was presented for both systems of (water + ethanol + IL) and (water + TBA + IL), using consistent binary parameters for water and IL (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.