The invention relates to a process for the extractive removal of phenols, alcohols, amines, phoshines, hydroxylamines, hydrazines, oximes, imines, water, carboxylic acids, amino acids, hydroxamic acids, sulfinic acids, sulfonic acids, peroxycarboxylic acids, phosphonous acids, phosphinous acids, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acids or phosphoric acids from aprotic solvents by means of ionic liquids of the formula [K].sub.n+[A].sup.n-, where n, [K].sup.+ and A.sup.n- are defined as in the description.