This paper focuses on the study of the solubility behaviour of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate [HMIM][TCB] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate [BMIM][TCB] in combination with methylcyclohexane and toluene as representatives for non-aromatic and aromatic components. Binary and ternary (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data were collected at three different temperatures and at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). The experimental data were well-correlated with the NRTL and UNIQUAC thermodynamic models: however, the UNIQUAC model gave better predictions than the NRTL, with a root mean square error below 0.97%. The non-aromatic/aromatic selectivities of the ionic liquids make them suitable solvents to be used in extractive distillation processes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.