REACTION-RATES AND SURFACE-ACTIVITIES IN A LIQUID-LIQUID PHASE-TRANSFER-CATALYZED REACTION

Reaction races and surface activities for synthesis of an ether-ester by liquid-liquid phase transfer catalysis were qualitatively correlate d at 298 K. The surface activity was obtained from surface pressure da ta and the reaction rate was measured using a Lewis-type stirred cell. All experiments were performed as a function of the concentrations of aqueous-phase reactant (a substituted phenylacetic acid), phase trans fer catalyst, alkali, and organic-phase reactant (a haloalkane). The s ame tendencies for surface activity and reaction rate were observed. T his study allowed us to predict the trends of reactivity at different conditions simply from interfacial tension measurements.