Phase transfer catalysis of heterogeneous reactions by quaternary salts

Abstract

A process for catalyzing heterogeneous ionic organic reactions in a system of multiple liquid phases in which at least two of the reactants are each located in a different phase with respect to the other, the phases containing such reactants differing in polarity. Catalysis is effected by introducing to the system one of certain organic quaternary salts which are more soluble in the least polar reactant-containing phase than in the other reactant-containing phases. The quaternary salt catalysts utilized have the general structural formula (AM).sup.+X.sup.- where A is an organic portion of the salt molecule bonded to M by four covalent linkages, and preferably comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon radicals of either monovalent or polyvalent character, M is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth, and X.sup.- is an anion which will dissociate from the cation (AM).sup.+ in an aqueous environment, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of halogen and hydroxyl anions.