Foams Stabilized by Aquivion™ PFSA: Application to Interfacial Catalysis for Cascade Reactions

Foams are attractive platforms for engineering gas-liquid-solid catalytic microreactors with enhanced triphasic contact. In this study, the foaming properties of surface-active Aquivion (TM) perfluorosulfonic acid resin (Aquivion (TM) PFSA) are unraveled. Stable aqueous and non-aqueous foams are prepared driven by hydrogen bond interactions between Aquivion (TM) PFSA and protic solvents (e.g., benzyl alcohol, aniline, water). In light of these unique properties, a catalytic foam system for one-pot cascade deacetalization-hydrogenation reactions is designed. As proof of concept, benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal is converted into benzyl alcohol with 84% overall yield at room temperature in a foam system in the presence of Aquivion (TM) PFSA and Pd/SiO2 catalysts, whereas the yield is halved in a non-foam system. The enhanced reaction efficiency is attributed to a marked increase in interfacial area of the foam system and preferential location of catalytic acid centers at the gas-liquid interface.

Automated summary

This study unravels the foaming properties of Aquivion(TM) PFSA resin and designs a catalytic foam system for efficient conversion reactions. The foam system shows a significant increase in interfacial area and preferential location of catalytic acid centers, leading to enhanced reaction efficiency.