Catalytic/catalyst: action, 6, 93 procedure

Finally, experimental procedures differing from that described in the preceding examples could also be employed for studying catalytic reactions by means of heat-flow calorimetry. In order to assess, at least qualitatively, but rapidly, the decay of the activity of a catalyst in the course of its action, the reaction mixture could be, for instance, either diluted in a carrier gas and fed continuously to the catalyst placed in the calorimeter, or injected as successive slugs in the stream of carrier gas. Calorimetric and kinetic data could therefore be recorded simultaneously, at least in favorable cases, by using flow or pulse reactors equipped with heat-flow calorimeters in place of the usual furnaces. 

The possibility of having membrane systems also as tools for a better design of chemical transformation is today becoming attractive and realistic. Catalytic membranes and membrane reactors are the subject of significant research efforts at both academic and industrial levels. For biological applications, synthetic membranes provide an ideal support to catalyst immobilization due to their biomimic capacity enzymes are retained in the reaction side, do not pollute the products and can be continuously reused. The catalytic action of enzymes is extremely efficient, selective and highly stereospecific if compared with chemical catalysts moreover, immobilization procedures have been proven to enhance the enzyme stability. In addition, membrane bioreactors are particularly attractive in terms of eco-compatibility, because they do not require additives, are able to operate at moderate temperature and pressure, and reduce the formation of by-products. 

Olefinic alcohols are best prepared by the action of lithium aluminum hydride on the corresponding acid or ester as in the preparation of 3-penten-l-ol (75%). The double bond may be in the a,/S-position to the ester group, The Bouveault-Blanc procedure has also been used with success for reduction of nonconjugated olefinic esters. The addition of the sodium to an alcoholic solution of the ester is superior to the reverse addition of. the ester to sodium in toluene for the preparation of 2,2-dimethyl-3-buten-l-ol (62%). Selective catalytic hydrogenation is inferior. Large amounts of catalyst are required, and the products contain saturated alcohols. ... 

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