Phase-behavior and solid-liquid phase-transfer catalytic activity of tetrabutylammonium bromide

The addition of water to TBABr/benzene/NaBr systems induced the separation of TBABr-rich liquid phase (L phase) prior to the appearance of an aqueous phase (W phase). The L phase was assumed to be similar to a bicontinuous microemulsion based on the phase composition. TBABr catalyzed the “solid-liquid” phase-transfer reaction of decyl methanesulfonate with NaBr only when the L phase was fully hydrated.