The heterogenization of palladium complexes on silica as well as on functio
nalized styrene/divinylbenzene crosslinked resins and linear poly(styrene)
is described. In particular, palladium (0) and palladium (II) derivatives w
ere anchored to the above polymeric systems through their functionalization
with bidentate ligands such as acetylacetonate and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphi
no)propane moieties. The resulting heterogenized complexes were checked in
the catalytic telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with methanol. Their performa
nces were studied in terms of activity and selectivity to telomers. Whereas
the heterogenization of palladium complexes either on silica or on polymer
resins via the acetylacetonate ligand resulted labile during the catalytic
cycle, the polymer-bound palladium complexes via the diphosphine ligand, w
hen activated by an alkoxide, displayed activity and selectivity comparable
with those of the corresponding homogeneous counterparts, without apprecia
ble metal leaching in solution. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r
eserved.