Transition metal catalysts polymer supported, stability

Stability of Polymer-Supported Transition Metal Catalysts... 

Recently, Chaudhari compared the activity of dispersed nanosized metal particles prepared by chemical or radiolytic reduction and stabilized by various polymers (PVP, PVA or poly(methylvinyl ether)) with the one of conventional supported metal catalysts in the partial hydrogenation of 2-butyne-l,4-diol. Several transition metals (e.g., Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Ni) were prepared according to conventional methods and subsequently investigated [89]. In general, the catalysts prepared by chemical reduction methods were more active than those prepared by radiolysis, and in all cases aqueous colloids showed a higher catalytic activity (up to 40-fold) in comparison with corresponding conventional catalysts. The best results were obtained with cubic Pd nanosized particles obtained by chemical reduction (Table 9.13). 

Polystyrene-based resins have been used widely as supports for metal complex catalysts and other reactive species. These polymers, however, have a drawback in their limited thermo-oxidative stability [1,2]. The scope for application is therefore restricted, particularly in polymer-supported transition metal complex oxidation catalysts [3]. Consequently there is a need for the development of polymer supports with a much higher intrinsic thermo-oxidative stability. Polybenzimidazoles and polyimides are likely candidates in this respect. 

The application of polymer-supported catalysts has now been extended to the synthesis of complexes between transition metal derivatives and structurally ordered macromolecular ligands to give catalytic systems exhibiting high activity and stereoselectivity. Polystyrene and polymethacrylate resin and polystyrene-divinylbenzene-polystyrene-polybutadiene block copolymers, as well as vinyl-functionalized polysiloxanes grafted onto silica, are very suitable polymers for heterogenization of mostly Pt and Rh complexes. Moreover, polyamides exhibit much higher thermal stability than conventional polystyrene supports (114). 

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