Reactions in Supercritical Fluids

Abstract

The reasons for carrying out chemical reactions in supercritical fluids are discussed. Most of these motivations relate to the physical behaviour exhibited in these media, in particular phase behaviour, diffusion rates and ‘anomalies’, and solvation effects. Examples are given of the use of phase and diffusion behaviour. The transition-state theory is developed for supercritical fluids and used to explain solvation effects in chemical reactions in the media. The possibilities of product control in supercritical fluids via diffusion and solvation effects are outlined. Finally the use the continuously varying solvent properties available in supercritical fluids for the fundamental study of reaction mechanisms is reviewed. Because of their environmental advantages, discussions focus upon the use of carbon dioxide and water as fluids.