Semi-continuous nanofiltration-coupled Heck reactions as a new approach to improve productivity of homogeneous catalysts

Substantial increase in homogeneous catalyst productivity for a well known Heck coupling was achieved by nanofiltration-coupled catalysis. The use of nanofiltration membranes enabled catalyst separation and allowed subsequent catalyst recycle and reuse. This new technique demonstrated potential for general applicability to homogeneously catalysed organic syntheses. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.