Patent ID: 6479708
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: C07B,C07C

Abstract:
A process for catalyzing an organic reaction to form a reaction product comprising:placing reactants and a catalyst for the organic reaction within an aqueous biphasic system including a water phase, a dense phase fluid of a material that is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, and can be compressed to a liquid-like state or supercritical state, and a surfactant adapted for forming an emulsion or microemulsion of said aqueous biphasic system, the catalyst comprised of a metal complex and at least one ligand soluble within one of the phases of said aqueous biphasic system whereby the catalyst is soluble within one of the phases of said aqueous biphasic system, said reactants soluble within one of the phases of said aqueous aphasic system and convertible in the presence of the catalyst to a product having low solubility within the phase of said aqueous biphasic system in which the catalyst is soluble; and, maintaining said aqueous biphasic system under pressures, at temperatures, and for a period of time sufficient for said organic reaction to occur and form said reaction product and to maintain sufficient density on said dense phase fluid so as to keep said dense phase fluid in a liquid-like state or supercritical state, said reaction product characterized as having low solubility within the phase of said aqueous biphasic system in which the catalyst is soluble.