The evolution of fluorous chemistry probably started with the isolation of the first few drops of a liquid perfluoroalkane about seventy years ago. The high density and many other unique properties were immediately apparent upon isolation. The term
fluorous was introduced in 1994, as the analogue to the term
aqueous, to emphasize the fact that a chemical transformation is primarily controlled by a reagent or a catalyst designed to dissolve preferentially in the
fluorous phase. The
fluorous phase was originally defined as a perfluoroalkane, perfluorodialkyl ether, or perfluorotrialkylamine rich phase of a liquid – liquid biphasic system, providing the opportunity to
do reactions in one phase at higher temperatures and separation at lower temperatures. It was later expanded to include lighter and heavier fluorous groups as well as solid – liquid phases. While fluorous chemistry still in its early development stage, several fluorous technologies have been developed and used routinely.
Hong Kong is a metropolitan city, where the East meets the West. Coming to Hong Kong is easy by flight from all over the world.
We look forward to seeing you in November 2011.
István T. Horváth
Chairperson, Organizing Committee
