Question

how does aliquat 336 act as a phase transfer catalyst?

Answer 1

Aliquat 336 (N-Methyl-N,N,N-trioctylammonium chloride) is a quaternary ammonium salt used as a phase transfer catalyst.A phase-transfer catalyst is soluble in both organic and aqueous solvents, and it carries anions of inorganic salts into organic solvents and returns them into the water phase.

Example : CH3-CH2-CH=CH2 + KMnO4 -------> CH3-CH2-COOH

The mechanism of PTC may be expressed as

Alkene + Q⁺+MnO₄^- -----------> C.Acid + Q⁺+OH^-

(Organic phase)

^{=============================================== interface}

(aqueous phase)

Q⁺+ MnO₄^- + OH^-========= Q⁺+OH^- +MnO₄^-