Dynamic methods and new reactors for liquid phase molecular catalysis

Kinetic data acquisition and screening of transition metal complexes for homogeneous liquid phase catalysis calls for numerous testing in multiphase G/L, L/L and G/L/L systems. It is shown first, with an example in asymmetric hydrogenation, why detailed kinetics must be performed. Then, new reactors leading to fast experimental techniques are proposed. A liquid–liquid centrifugal partition chromatography is evaluated for determining rate constants and partition isotherms by combining frontal analysis and elution chromatography, the catalyst being maintained in a stationary aqueous phase. Two microreactors offering short residence time have also been tested and compared with a fast test reaction (t_R ca. 5–20 s). The combination of reacting pulses, carrier liquids and micromixer is proposed as a general high throughput tool for the investigation of G/L, L/L and G/L/L catalytic systems in a fast sequential way.