Continuous Catalytic Processes with Supported Ionic Liquid Phase (SILP) Materials

Abstract

The concept of supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) materials offers many attractive features for continuous catalytic processes. Due to the extremely low volatility of the ionic liquid, homogenous catalysts can be immobilized and applied in gas-phase reactions without the need for elaborating separations or recycling strategies. The concept has been developed since 2003, and this chapter highlights the current status of the technology. No large-scale commercial process has been established, but several examples exist at the demonstration level for hydroformylation, water-gas shift, and even asymmetric hydrogenation.