Phase selective polymer supports for catalysis

Abstract

Phase-selective soluble polymer supports for catalysts are described. The catalysts utilize polystyrene copolymers having enhanced solubility in nonpolar solvents. Other catalysts of the invention utilize polyisobutylene supports. Methods of catalyzing chemical reactions using latent biphasic solvents are also disclosed.

1 . A catalytically active composition comprising a polystyrene copolymer, the polystyrene copolymer comprising a first styrene monomer and a second styrene monomer, wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with one or more catalytically active functional groups and the second styrene monomer is substituted with one or more lipophilic groups.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a triorganophosphine.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a triarylphosphine.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a nucleophilic organic catalyst.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of imidazoles, thiazoles, pyridines, and (4-pyridylpiperazine).  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with 4-pyridylpiperazine.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a metal complex.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first styrene monomer is substituted with a metal complex selected from the group consisting of 3,5-bis(phenylthiomethyl)phenyl palladium chloride and diadamantylphosphine palladium.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second styrene monomer is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons substituted with one or more ester groups, hydrocarbons containing one or more ether groups, and hydrocarbons containing one or more amine groups, amides and triorganosilyl ethers.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the second styrene monomer is tert-butylstyrene.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polystyrene copolymer further comprises styrene monomers substituted with one or more dye species.  
   
   
       12 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A catalytic composition comprising a catalytically active functional group bound to polyisobutylene.  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the catalytically active functional group comprises a triorganophosphine ligand.  
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the catalytically active functional group comprises an alkyldiarylphosphine ligand.  
   
   
       26 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the catalytically active functional group comprises a triorganophosphine ligand complexed with palladium.  
   
   
       27 - 38 . (canceled)