A process and method for separating CO.sub.2 from a gaseous stream such as
natural gas. An ionic liquid comprising an anion having a carboxylate
function and an effective amount of water is used as an adsorbent to
selectively complex the CO.sub.2 yielding a gaseous stream with a greatly
reduced CO.sub.2 content. The ionic liquid can then be readily be
regenerated and recycled.