Organic Synthesis Engineering

Book excerpt: This book will formally launch "organic synthesis engineering" as a distinctive field in the armory of the reaction engineer. Its main theme revolves around two developments: catalysis and the role of process intensification in enhancing overall productivity. Each of these two subjects are becoming increasingly useful in organic synthesis engineering, especially in the production of medium and small volume chemicals and enhancing reaction rates by extending laboratory techniques, such as ultrasound, phase transfer catalysts, membrane reactor, and microwaves, to industrial scale production. This volume describes the applications of catalysis in organic synthesis and outlines different techniques of reaction rate and/or selectivity enhancement against a background of reaction engineering principles for both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.