Phenol Transfer through Third Phase for Phenyl Benzoate Formation in Modified Parallel Flow Micro Reactor

摘要

High mass transfer rate is one of the advantages of the micro reactor. Phenyl benzoate formation from benzoyl chloride and phenol was carried out in a micro reactor with a rectangular cross section micro reactor with three rounded channels which acted as stabilizers for parallel flow. Flow dynamics were very important for this reaction as phenyl benzoate and benzoyl chloride are easily hydrolyzed. The third phase contained phase transfer catalyst which was not soluble in the aqueous or organic phases. The third phase was present at the organic phase aqueous phase interface and formed a barrier for separating the aqueous and organic solutions. To maintain high selectivity for phenyl benzoate, parallel flow was required. Aqueous and organic solution flow rates were varied and flow dynamics in the micro channel was observed with a microscope. Low organic solution flow rate formed parallel flow. Reaction was carried out in the parallel flow condition. Phenol mass transfer through the third phase was the rate controlling step. To increase the main reaction rate, phenol was dissolved in both the organic and aqueous solutions. Selectivity was increased under that condition. Reaction rate in the micro reactor was higher than reaction rate in the conventional stirring batch reactor.