Solid-liquid and liquid-liquid slow and fast reactions: enhancements by fine carbon particles

Abstract

The role of fine carbon particles was studied in the alkaline hydrolysis of tridecyl formate and benzyl benzoate (liquid-liquid) and alkaline hydrolysis of phenyl benzoate and ethyl p-nitrobenzoate and oximation of cyclododecanone (solid-liquid). Enhancements by a factor of 1.2-5 were realized by the use of fine carbon particles whose sizes are smaller than the typical diffusion film thickness. The presence of fine carbon particles can cause a slow reaction occurring in the bulk to occur in the film (as in the oximation reaction) and can even enhance the rates of fast reactions which already occur completely in the film (as in the alkaline hydrolysis of ethyl p-nitrobenzoate and tridecyl formate). Theoretical models have been developed for different cases and a good agreement has been found between experimental and predicted values.