| abstract |
A liquid-phase chemical reaction medium comprises one or more reactants, optionally in the presence of a reaction product(s) and one or more solvents, diluents or other form of liquid carrier, a catalyst system comprising at least a metal or metal compound and optionally further compounds such as ligands or complexing agents; characterized in that the reaction medium further comprises a polymeric dispersant dissolved in said liquid carrier, said polymeric dispersant being capable of stabilizing a colloidal suspension of particles of said metal or metal compound within the liquid carrier. The presence of the polymeric dispersant enables metal formed by catalyst deactivation to be more easily recovered and recycled. Preferably, the polymeric dispersant has sufficiently acidic or basic functionality to stabilize the colloidal suspension of said metal or metal compound. |