Phase-transfer catalyst separation and re-use by solvent resistant nanofiltration membranesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: experimental procedures and results. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b1/b103645a/

Abstract

This communication describes the use of nanofiltration (NF) membranes for efficient separation and recycling of phase-transfer catalysts, using the conversion of bromoheptane into iodoheptane with tetraoctylammonium bromide as the PT catalyst, as an example; a solvent flux of >10 L m⁻² h⁻¹ was achieved with >99% catalyst recycle and no loss in PT catalyst activity over a cycle of three consecutive reactions.