Heterogeneous Catalysis in Supercritical Media: 1. Carbon Dioxide

Over the past few years, supercritical fluids have received considerable interest as reaction media. Supercritical fluids combine properties of gases and liquids. Densities are lower than in the liquid phase, but significantly higher than in the gas phase. This makes supercritical fluids excellent solvents for a variety of substances. The good dissolution capacity exists only in or near the supercritical range. Reaction products can be separated, for instance, simply by decreasing temperature and pressure. This may be used to intensify the process as complex separation processes, like distillation, are avoided.