The Mechanism of On-Water Catalysis

摘要

Acid catalysis by interfacial water: A new mechanism is proposed for on-water catalysis, the acceleration of organic reactions when conducted in aqueous emulsions. It involves the protonation of a substrate by water, driven by the strong adsorption of hydroxide ions at aqueous interfaces with oils. This accounts for the specific role of water, and a deuterium isotope effect, at the interface, on reactions known to be acid-catalysed.