MICROENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT ON PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF POLYMERIC FORMAMIDES

Polymeric formamides (P1) were prepared by the copolymerization of N-m ethyl-N-(p-vinylbenzyl)formamide (MVFA) with styrene by AIBN at 60 deg rees C. Similarly copolymerization of MVFA with other hydrophobic mono mers such as p-fluorostyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene, and p-trimethylsily lstyrene afforded the corresponding polymers (P2-P4), respectively. Th ese polymers displayed the catalytic activity for the reaction of n-oc tyl bromide with alkali-metal thiocyanates in Liquid-Liquid two-phase system. The catalytic activity of P2-P4 was superior to that of P1. Th is finding was understood by considering that the degree of desolvatio n of nucleophile could be increased by using more hydrophobic monomers instead of styrene to lead the enhancement of reaction rate. The poly mer composition which shows the maximum catalytic activity depends str ongly on alkali-metal cations in attacking agents. (C) 1998 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.