Phase Transfer Catalytic Reactions: A Physical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

Abstract

This article describes the application of phase-transfer catalysis within an undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory. Phase-transfer catalysis has been covered extensively in various books, articles, and patents. Many important industrial products are manufactured using this technique. However, very little of the subject is reflected in current undergraduate curriculum. The kinetic experiment designed here introduces many important concepts in phase-transfer catalysis and nucleophilic displacement reactions involving both mechanism and kinetics. Since this laboratory exploration includes catalytic reactions, organic synthesis, and chemical analysis, it covers many areas of chemistry. Thus, we believe this can be an important contribution to the students' learning.In this experiment, we have demonstrated that the reactions of alkyl bromides with NaCl under phase-transfer conditions can be carried out replacing bromide with chloride via a nucleophilic displacement reaction within a three-hour physical c...