Biphasic Catalytic Conversion of Olefins in Aqueous Media: A Systematic Review

Aqueous biphasic catalysis has gained recognition as a sustainable and efficient method that combines the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems. This approach enables the separation and recycling of catalysts, leading to reduced environmental impact and lower operational costs. A key component of this method is the use of transition metal catalysts, which are crucial for facilitating various reactions when paired with different types of ligands, primarily hydrophiles. This combination is essential for achieving high success rates in recyclable catalytic systems. The reaction conditions, including temperature, pressure, and pH, significantly influence catalytic performance. However, challenges such as limited substrate solubility and catalyst leaching persist, underscoring the need for further research into advanced ligand design, catalyst immobilization techniques, and scalable process integration. This review systematically examines recent experiments in the aqueous biphasic catalysis of olefins, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. From an initial pool of 597 articles, 104 were found to be relevant and focused specifically on aqueous biphasic catalysis. The study investigates key reactions, the factors that influence these biphasic reactions, and the catalytic systems that facilitate them. By highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges, this work underscores the potential of aqueous biphasic catalysis to bridge the gap between green chemistry principles and industrial applications.