POLYSTYRENE-SUPPORTED DIMETHYLFORMAMIDES AS PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSTS IN SOLID-SOLID-LIQUID SYSTEM

Polymer-supported dimethylformamides were prepared by copolymerization of N-methyl-N-(p-vinylbenzyl)formamide, styrene, and divinylbenzene w ith AIBN. These polymers displayed catalytic activity for the reaction of alkyl bromides with alkali metal thiocyanates and potassium acetat e in a solid-solid-liquid triphase system, although the corresponding monomeric formamides were inactive. The catalytic activity depended re markably on the copolymer composition. Further, the catalytic reaction was affected by some experimental parameters such as stirring speed, particle size, degree of crosslinking, and solvent. A plausible cataly tic reaction mechanism consisting of collisional contact between the s olid catalysts and reagents was proposed.