THIN-LAYER PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSIS IN THE REACTION OF ALKYL CHLORIDES AND SOLID FORMATE SALT.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00209a030

A systematic study of the quaternary ammonium catalyzed solid-liquid esterification of alkyl chlorides by alkali formate has been undertaken. The maximum conversion and the kinetics of the reaction were found to be strongly dependent on the type of formate salt used. The reaction rate was highest when a definite amount of water was added. The optimal water content varied strongly when the inorganic cation, the reaction temperature, or the catalyst concentration was changed. When the amount of water was limited, most of it was found surprisingly in the organic phase as water of hydration of the quaternary ammonium ion pair, reducing the rate of the homogeneous reaction step. At very low water concentrations the overall rate was limited by slow mass transfer, which could be enhanced by application of ultrasound.