ADSORPTION-ASSISTED CATALYSTS

Possibilities for enhancement of catalytic reaction rate by combining adsorptive (unfunctionalized) and catalytically active (functionalized ) domains within the polymer skeleton of ion-exchanger catalysts have been studied. These catalysts were prepared by copolymerization of sty rene and divinylbenzene with a functionalized monomer (styrene sulfoch loride). For comparison were included also catalysts prepared by parti al sulfonation of macroreticular copolymers of styrene and divinylbenz ene and conventional, fully sulfonated ion exchangers. Catalytic activ ity was tested by the measurements of initial reaction rates of hydrol ysis of ethyl acetate (5 wt% in water, 60 degrees C) and ethyl benzoat e (0.035 wt%, 75 degrees C). With the catalysts prepared by copolymeri zation of the functionalized and unfunctionalized monomers the reactio n rate per equivalent of the acid centers was found to be up to 15-tim es higher than with conventional ion-exchanger catalysts. With the par tially sulfonated resins, this effect was somewhat lower, due to less advantageous distribution of the functionalized and unfunctionalized d omains.