Accounts of Chemical Research.pdfVIP

Acc. Chem. Res. 2002, 35, 791797 Solid Acids for Green Chemistry the reaction is improved, the process is simplified, pre- cious raw materials used in the manufacture of the catalyst JAMES H. CLARK are given increased lifetime through reuse , and the Green Chemistry Group, Clean Technology Centre, volume of waste is significantly reduced. Polymer-sup- University of York, York YO10 5DD, England ported catalysts have been widely used in research and Received October 4, 2001 in process chemistry, but their use is restricted due to easy damage to the organic polymer thermal or chemical .5 ABSTRACT Zeolites have excellent thermal and chemical stability and Solid acids and especially those based on micelle-templated silicas have been incredibly successful in vapor phase chemistry, and other mesoporous high surface area support materials are but they are less useful for many organic reactions in beginning to play a significant role in the greening of fine and which molecular sizes can exceed the small zeolitic pores speciality chemicals manufacturing processes. A wide range of important organic reactions can be efficiently catalyzed by these and where liquid-phase reactions can lead to diffusion materials, which can be designed to provide different types of control. We have sought to exploit the recent emergence acidity as well as high degrees of reaction selectivity. The solid acids of mesoporous solids in organic synthesis by designing generally have high turnover numbers and can be easily separated materials that can accommodate most organic molecules from the organic components. The combination of this chemistry with innovative reaction engineering offers exciting opportunities and have active surfaces that can catalyze important for innovative green chemical manufacturing in the future. reactions.6 By c