Infinite dilution partial molar excess entropy-enthalpy compensation for polar solutes in an ionic liquid (IL) is investigated using the literature data of infinite dilution activity coefficient, In gamma(infinity)(1). Entropy-enthalpy compensation holds for the polar solutes, such as thiophene and CO2, and non-polar solutes, such as heptane and toluene. For the water + IL binaries, a converged linear relationship between infinite dilution partial molar excess entropy and enthalpy holds. Using the compensation rule, it is shown that, for the efficient removal of thiophene and CO2 from non-polar solutes with IL solvents, ILs having weaker molecular interactions with thiophene and CO2 are advantageous, because the entropy terms control the In gamma(infinity)(1) values. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,