THE HECK REACTION AT A SILICA SURFACE - FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SIMPLE ORGANO-MODIFIED SILICAS

The Heck reaction has been shown to be a useful method for the functio nalisation of simple organically modified silica. Four organically mod ified silicas, representing four preparative routes, were further modi fied by Heck coupling of aryl halides and alkenes. The reaction procee ds at temperatures of 120-150 degrees C, and functions best in the abs ence of solvent. Triethylamine is favoured over inorganic bases, and l eads to good conversions. The reaction is particularly effective when the surface-bound species is the alkene coupling partner.