POLYTRIAZINYLSTYRENE-SUPPORTED OLIGO(OXYETHYLENE)S AS PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSTS

Cross-linked polystyrene containing a 2,4-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine moie ty was prepared by copolymerization of the corresponding vinyl monomer s. The resulting polymer was treated with oligo(oxyethylene) monomethy l ethers to give the corresponding polymers carrying two functional gr oups per monomer unit in high conversions. These polymers could adsorb alkali metal ions such as lithium, sodium and potassium ions. The ads orption ability depended on the number of oxyethylene units, and a sel ectivity for alkali metal ions was observed. However, polytriazinylsty renes carrying one oligo(oxyethylene) group per monomer unit scarcely exhibited adsorption ability, although the degree of loading of functi onal groups was almost the same. Polymers carrying two oligo(oxlyethyl ene) groups per monomer unit could further be used as effective phase transfer catalysts with a selectivity for alkali metal ions.