General kinetic model for liquid-liquid phase-transfer-catalyzed reactions

A simple and fairly general kinetic model framework for analyzing the rate data for phase-transfer catalysis reactions has been developed. The model does not a priori assume extractive equilibrium and applies equally well to cases where the pseudo steady state with respect to the active catalytic species in one of the phases is not maintained. Within this framework, complex multistep reactions of comparable rates in both phases along with interphase mass-transfer resistance, if and when present, can be considered. The model was applied to interpret published kinetic data for a number of phase-transfer and inverse phase-transfer catalysis reactions. The model is likely to be useful in rationalizing published or new kinetic data from a general and unified framework and will contribute to the design and development of reactors carrying out phase-transfer catalysis reactions of industrial importance.