New uses of artificial selective membranes, particularly ion-exchange
membranes, improve on traditional methods of treating liquid mixtures
before, during or after chemical or biochemical reactions. With the co
rrect choice of ion-exchange membrane in a membrane reactor, reactions
can be performed in such a way that the main product is not contamina
ted by undesired byproducts. Recent examples, mainly in organic chemis
try, are given for eight typical ion-exchange membrane reactors: elect
rodialysis (ED), electrometathesis (EMT), electro-ion substitution (EI
S), electro-ion injection-extraction (EIIE), coupled countertransport
(CCT), electro-electrodialysis (EED), electrohydrolysis with bipolar m
embranes (EHBM), and catalysis with ion-exchange membrane (IEMC).