Homogeneous catalysts for application in supercritical carbon dioxide as a 'green' solvent

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) is an environmentally benign and technically feasible substitute for organic solvents in catalytic chemical synthesis. The unique features of the supercritical tate can lead to enhanced reaction rates and selectivities in some cases. The chemical reactivity of CO2 offers additional possibilities for synthesis in this 'green' solvent. Novel methods for catalyst recycling using scCO(2) as a reaction and separation phase are emerging and are expected to gain increasing importance in the future development of this field. The present review discusses various approaches by which homogeneous catalytic systems have been successfully adjusted to the special solvent properties of compressed CO2. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS (C) 2000 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.