In this work, a phosphonium based ionic liquid (IL) trihexyl(tetradecyl) phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinate ([TDTHP] [Phosph]) has been used for the recovery of 1-propanol and 1-butanol. The hydrophobic IL having density (0.895 gm/cm(3)) lower than water has been specially chosen to recover alcohol from water. A type II ternary diagram with a large immiscible region was observed at T=298.15K and p=1 atm. High values of selectivity ranging from 53 to 252 and 80 to 305 were observed for 1-propanol and 1-butanol, respectively. The distribution coefficient is greater than unity which indicates easier diffusion of solute from aqueous phase to extract phase. Hence less solvent (IL) is required for separation of specific amount of alcohol from water. The NMR spectra pointed out to the fact that the aqueous rich phase was free of IL and contains high percentage (similar to 92% mol) water. NRTL and UNIQUAC models show deviation (RMSD) in the range of 0.1-0.5% for both the systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.