Developing the efficient ionic liquid (IL)-based extractants for the solvent extraction of the rare earth elements (REEs) is crucial but still facing challenges. In this study, two carboxylic acid-functionalized upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type ILs, N -carboxymethylpyridinium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([HbetPy][Tf 2 N]) and N-carboxymethyl-N-methylmorpholinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([HbetMor][Tf 2 N]), are successfully synthesized and characterized. The extraction and separation performance toward scandium [denoted as Sc(III)] in nitrate medium aqueous solution have been carefully investigated in the homogeneous liquidâliquid extraction system under different conditions (e.g., equilibrium time, initial acidity, salting-out agent concentration, and REE concentration). The results reveal that the enhanced extractabilities of Sc(III) can be observed in homogeneous extraction compared to the biphasic system owing to the improved metal ion transfer and accelerated extraction kinetics. Meanwhile, [HbetPy][Tf 2 N] and [HbetMor][Tf 2 N] both illustrate high selectivity for Sc(III) separated from another five REEs (including La, Nd, Eu, Ho, and Yb), with the separation factors of 749 and 499 for Sc(III)/Yb(III), respectively. Moreover, the mechanism investigation indicates the formation of the Sc(III) complex via a proton exchange, evolved from the slope analysis and Fourier-transform infrared results.This study provides a prototype for the construction of the homogeneous liquidâliquid extraction system via the novel UCST-type ILs for highly efficient REE extraction and supplies the future application for the recovery of REEs from wastes.