Solubility of organometallic complexes in supercritical carbon dioxide: A review

The solubility and solubility trends of organometallic complexes in supercritical carbon dioxide are reviewed. The influence of intermolecular forces, physical properties and the metal chelates on solubility is explored. A number of thermodynamic models used to predict the solubility behavior of organometallic complexes in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the advantages and limitations to these thermodynamic models are also discussed.

The solubility behavior of metal chelates in supercritical carbon dioxide are affected by the metals involved and their ligand side-chains, such as the observed increasing order of solubility for Fe(acac)3 < Fe(acac)2 < Fe(cp)2. The crystal structure of a metal chelate also contributes to its solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Solute solubility in supercritical fluids is influenced by vapor pressure.
► Molecular structure, metal and ligand side-chain affect metal chelate solubility.
► Fluorinated ligands are more CO2-philic than aromatic substituted ligands.
► Thermodynamic modeling is limited by a lack of thermophysical data.