Multiphasic Catalysis Limitations and Challenges

The major advantage of the use of two-phase catalysis is the easy separation of the catalyst and product phases. However, the co-miscibility of the product and catalyst phases can be problematic. An example is given by the biphasic aqueous hydro-formylation of ethene to propanal. Firstly, the propanal formed contains water, which has to be removed by distillation, This is difficult, due to formation of azeotropic mixtures. Secondly, a significant proportion of the rhodium catalyst is extracted from the reactor with the products, which prevents its efficient recovery. Nevertheless, the reaction of ethene itself in the water-based Rh-TPPTS system is fast. It is the high solubility of water in the propanal that prevents the application of the aqueous biphasic process [5]. 

To overcome these limitations, there has been a great deal of investigation of novel methods, one of them focused on the search for alternative solvents [6, 7]. Table 5.3-1 gives different approaches to biphasic catalysis, with some of their respective advantages and limitations. 

Although already well known, perfluorinated solvents have only quite recently proved their utility in many organic and catalyzed reactions. The main advantage of 

Easy product separation and catalyst recycling Lower cost of chemical processes 

Temperature dependency of the miscibility of fluorinated phase with organic solvents 

Further progress in multiphasic catalysis will rely on the development of alternative techniques that allow the reactivity of a broader range of substrates, the efficient separation of the products, and recovery of the catalyst, while remaining economically viable. 

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