BENZOIN CONDENSATION IN CROSS-LINKED POLYMER MATRICES - POLYMERIC ANALOGS OF ALPHA-HYDROXY KETONES

Benzoin condensation is extended to benzaldehyde systems covalently in corporated in crosslinked polymers. Polymeric benzaldehyde was prepare d from divinylbenzene (DVB)- and tetmethyleneglycol diacrylate (TTEGDA )-crosslinked polystyrenes (PS) with varying crosslink densities throu gh a series of polymer-analogous reactions. These aldehydes were subje cted to cyanide ion-catalysed benzoin condensation and the products we re characterized by IR and C-13 CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy. The effects o f the molecular character and crosslink density on the extent of benzo in condensation were investigated. The polymeric aldehyde was subjecte d to crossed benzoin condensation with a series of substituted benzald ehydes and the effect of the electronic and steric properties of the s ubstituents on the extent of the polymer-analogous benzoin condensatio n was investigated.