About Phase Transfer Catalyst (PTC):
The Phase Transfer Catalyst (PTC) was introduced around 1965 and since then, it has become a firmly established technique in synthetic organic chemistry. Many reviews on synthetic methods that use the phase transfer catalysts have been published. One of the top concerns in using a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in soluble form is its separation from the reaction mixture. For efficient use of the catalyst and to meet product purity requirements, synthetic techniques using PTCs involve an additional separation for catalyst isolation and product purification.
The basic principle of phase transfer catalysis (PTC) was introduces by Reuben and Sjoberg in the year 1981. The principle of PTC is based on the ability of certain ìphase-transfer agentsî, also known as the PT catalysts, in order to facilitate the transport of one reagent from one phase into another (immiscible) phase wherein the other reagent exists. Thus, reaction is made possible by bringing together the reagents which are originally in different phases. However, it is also necessary that the transferred species is in an active state for effective PT catalytic action, and that it is regenerated during the organic reaction[7
Use of PTC as Synthetic Agent:
Along with the great demand of PTC in the chemical industries, it can also be used for the synthesis process for fine chemicals manufacture including the agro-chemicals, pharmaceutical, paper, dyes and so on). The perfumery and Fragrance Industry like Synthesis of phenylacetic acid, an intermediate in the perfumery industry (Cassar et al. 1976). It plays a important role as a synthetic agent in the field of Pharmaceuticals such as for the synthesis of variousdrugs like dicyclonine, phenoperidine, oxaladine, ritaline, etc. The Polymeric bonded PTC can be used for the determination of cyanide, iodide, nitrite, sulphide and thiocyanate, led to easy layer separation and PTC-free injection of the sample into the chromatograph. Along with such amazing used of PTC as synthetic agent, one basic disadvantage of PTC, especially in commercial applications, is the need to separate the catalyst from the product organic phase.
The foundations of PTC were laid in the late 1960s and early 1970s from the studies of Makosza(1975), Starks(1971), and Brandstrom(1977). Starks is believed to have coined the phrase phase transfer catalysis, and although some would tend to disagree with calling the PT cycle a catalytic process in the true sense of the word catalysis, the terminology has been well established and stays, especially since only catalytic amounts of the phase-transfer agents are required for effective phase-transfer action.
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