Substantial rate enhancements of the esterification reaction of phthalic anhydride with methanol at high pressure and using supercritical CO2 as a co-solvent in a glass microreactor.
The esterification reaction of phthalic anhydride with methanol was performed at different temperatures in a continuous flow glass microreactor at pressures up to 110 bar and using supercritical CO(2) as a co-solvent. The design is such that supercritical CO(2) can be generated inside the microreactor. Substantial rate enhancements were obtained, viz. a 53-fold increase was obtained at 110 bar and 60 degrees C. Supercritical CO(2) as a co-solvent gave rise to a 5400-fold increase (both with respect to batch experiments at 1 bar at the same temperature).
Benito-Lopez
F
F
Supramolecular Chemistry and Technology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Tiggelaar
R M
RM
Salbut
K
K
Huskens
J
J
Egberink
R J M
RJ
Reinhoudt
D N
DN
Gardeniers
H J G E
HJ
Verboom
W
W