QUATERNIZED POLY(4-VINYLPYRIDINE) ANCHORED ON A MACROPOROUS POLY(TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIMETHACRYLATE METHYLMETHACRYLATE) RESIN, AS COCATALYST IN THE COBALTPHTHALOCYANINE CATALYZED OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF 2-MERCAPTOETHANOL

Immobilisation of expensive homogeneous catalysts is important for the ir application in commercial processes. Quaternised poly(4-vinylpyridi ne), which is a good promotor of the cobalt(II)phthalocyanine-tetra(so dium sulphonate) catalysed oxidative coupling of 2-mercaptoethanol, ha s been anchored on a macroporous resin being prepared by copolymerisat ion of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate and methyl methacrylate. The performance of the catalyst was only slightly lower than that of the homogeneous analogue. This remarkable result has been attributed to th e large pores, which allow a post-copolymerisation of 4-vinylpyridine with the residual double bonds leading to a flexible and accessible po lymeric cocatalyst.