Triphase Catalysis Based on Gemini Surfactant-Clay Intercalates

摘要

A series of novel catalysts was developed using cationic Gemini surfactants intercalated in natural montmorillonite (MMT) clay. These Gemini surfactant-MMT intercalates were used to study the kinetics of a nucleophilic displacement reactions converting n-butyl bromide to n-butyl chloride in a triphase catalytic (TC) system. Most reaction rates compared favorably to those of biphase catalytic reactions where Gemini surfactants were used in the absence of MMT. Catalytic activity varied with Gemini surfactant structure, specifically with carbon spacer group and side chain length. In addition to the ease of catalyst separation that a triphase system affords, Gemini-MMT catalysts are stable and can be recycled and re-used several times.