Oxidative Polymerization Catalyzed by Polymer-Cu Complexes

The mechanism of the oxidative polymerization of 2,6-dimethylphenol (XOH) with an amine-Cu complex is represented by Eq. (20)145 147.  

L = amine ligand, X = anionic ligand such as chloro and hydroxyl ions 

The activated phenols are C-0 coupled each other. The dimer thus formed is activated by a similar mechanism, and polymerization occurs. The effects of the amine ligand (L) are to improve the solubility and stability of the Cu ion, to affect the stability of the substrate-coordinated complex, and to control the redox potential of the Cu ion. The Cu-complex catalyst not only enhances the rate of polymerization, but it also has an important effect on the coupling reaction. 

We describe below the change in catalytic behavior when an amine ligand (L) is substituted by a polymer ligand. The Cu(II) complexes of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP), partially quaternizedPVP(QPW) 18, partially diethylaminomethylated poly (styrene) (PDA) 53, and poly(ethyleneimine) proved effective as catalysts in the 

The polymerization of XOH with an insoluble polymer-Cu complex was provoked by vigorous stirring of the reaction mixture (Table 14)IS1). The polymer 

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