Homogeneous catalysis in supercritical fluids

Abstract

Homogeneous catalysis by soluble transition metal complexes offers many advantages over heterogeneous catalysis, such as milder reaction conditions, higher activities and selectivities, and better control of operating conditions. Such superior performance arises from the ability of transition metals to complex with a wide variety of ligands in a number of geometries and to easily change from one oxidation state to another. Even though heterogeneous catalysts dominate the industrial scene today (˜ 85% of all existing catalytic processes), the importance and market share of homogeneous catalysts are growing. This growth is being fueled by a combination of factors: