Issue 4, 2022

Making more with less: confinement effects for more sustainable chemical transformations

Abstract

Chemical reactions require close physical contact between reactants, catalysts, and intermediates to proceed. In a bulk homogeneous solution, this is often governed by random collisions based on molecular diffusion. A powerful concept is the use of confinement to physically restrict the reacting species within the same physical space, increasing the likelihood of successful collisions. Controlling the identity and geometry of the co-located reactants also provides the opportunity to impart improved regio- and chemoselectivity for these processes. This effect has been explored in a number of contexts, including catalytic performance, yet its potential in providing greener processes has not been fully recognized. This review discusses different modes of confinement that have been explored for catalytic applications grouped as confinement within pores and cavities, confinement by encapsulation within hollow solids, and confinement within self-assembled systems. The theory behind changes in reaction outcomes due to confinement and selected examples of reactions where confinement has played an important role are discussed. We highlight the important implications of confinement effects towards the discovery of more sustainable processes as well as the relevance of these outcomes to the field of green chemistry. Key challenges and future directions within the field are highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Making more with less: confinement effects for more sustainable chemical transformations

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
07 ستمبر 2021
Accepted
17 جنؤری 2022
First published
17 جنؤری 2022

Green Chem., 2022,24, 1404-1438

Making more with less: confinement effects for more sustainable chemical transformations

J. C. S. Terra, A. R. Martins, F. C. C. Moura, C. C. Weber and A. Moores, Green Chem., 2022, 24, 1404 DOI: 10.1039/D1GC03283F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements