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Nature 423, 930-931 (26 June 2003) | doi:10.1038/423930a
Catalysis: A greener solution
Walter Leitner
Abstract
In a 'biphasic' system, a catalyst dissolved in a liquid phase can be recycled if the reaction products are captured in an adjacent phase. A catalyst-storing liquid that is plentiful and environmentally friendly has been found.
Catalysis is the key to sustainable synthetic chemistry. Homogeneous catalysts, dispersed in a solution of reactants, have many potential advantages over solid-phase, heterogeneous ones: the molecular nature of the catalyst means that it can be designed rationally to be selective and highly active.
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