Effect of organic electrolyte on chloromethylation of 2-bromoethylbenzene in micellar catalytic system

A small amount of organic electrolyte tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) was added into the micellar catalysis system in which chloromethylation reaction of 2-bromoethylbenzene (BrEtBz) was carried out, and the effect of TBAB on the catalytic reaction was investigated. The decrease in critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the increase in solubilization of BrEtBz in the micelles formed by surfactant and TBAB were observed. The chloromethylation reaction of BrEtBz exhibited higher conversion and higher selectivity for mono-chloromethylation in the surfactant micelles containing TBAB than in the single surfactant micelle. The mechanism of chloromethylation reaction and the synergistic mechanism between organic electrolyte (TBAB) and three types of surfactants were discussed.

Surfactant micelles can catalyzed the chloromethylation of 2-bromoethylbenzene effectively and different types of surfactants have different catalytic abilities. A small amount of organic electrolyte tetrabutylammonium bromide was added into these micelles enhancing their catalytic abilities through a synergetic effect that allowed them to be much more active for the chloromethylation reaction.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide