Tandem Catalysis with Antagonistic Catalysts Compartmentalized in the Dispersed and Continuous Phases of a Pickering Emulsion

Tandem catalysis combines multiple conversion steps, catalysts, and reagents in one reaction medium, offering the potential to reduce waste and time. In this study, Pickering emulsions-emulsions stabilized by solid particles-are used as easy-to-prepare and bioinspired, compartmentalized reaction media for tandem catalysis. Making use of simple and inexpensive acid and base catalysts, the strategy of compartmentalization of two noncompatible catalysts in both phases of the emulsion is demonstrated by using the deacetalization-Knoevenagel condensation reaction of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal as a probe reaction. In contrast to simple biphasic systems, which do not allow for tandem catalysis and show instantaneous quenching of the acid and base catalysts, the Pickering emulsions show efficient antagonistic tandem catalysis and give the desired product in high yield, as a result of an increased interfacial area and suppressed mutual destruction of the acid and base catalysts.