Adsorption at the liquid-liquid interface: An important factor in phase-transfer catalysis

A new rationalization of some phenomena in the phase‐transfer catalysed processes promoted by concentrated aqueous alkali solutions, such as alkylations and β‐eliminations, is proposed. It is predicted on the basis of adsorption theory and subsequently evidenced experimentally that the size of the interfacial area, controlled by the rate of stirring, affects the position of the extraction equilibrium of various anions with quaternary ammonium cations supplied by the phase‐transfer catalysts.