Scientists at the University of California claim to have discovered a surfactant that allows the catalytic organic reactions to be run in water, rather than organic solvents, which could provide a cleaner and cheaper reaction medium.

The research team, led by Bruce Lipshutz, used a micellar system to research a series of commonly used catalytic coupling reactions that brings together organic molecules.

Eventually, the team discovered that an inexpensive material based on vitamin E (PTS) gave the highest yields.

"These reactions are examples, we believe, of micellar catalysis, where the effective concentration of water-insoluble reactants is high, due to the limited amount of the lipophilic vitamin E core that accommodates them," Mr Lipshutz told Chemistry World.

"The bottom line is that there are multiple benefits to be had from 'designer surfactants'; new amphiphiles that appear to match the catalysis. In this case, previously unrecognized PTS appears to be quite useful," he explained.

Sijbren Otto, who researches reactions in water at the University of Cambridge, said the research is sure to be used.

Source:

Surfactants help reactions work in water, 20/03/08
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2008/March/20030803.asp

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