Enantiopure poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate):a new material for supported catalytic asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction

A novel copolymer containing chiral epoxy residues was prepared. Free radic al initiated suspension copolymerization of (R)- or (S)-glycidyl methacryla te with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate afforded crosslinked copolymer 1 in high yield. Optically active polymers containing amino alcohol functionalit ies were then formed from I through epoxide ring opening with a number of a chiral and homochiral amines. It was shown that ruthenium complexes based o n these new polymeric amino alcohol ligands were effective catalysts for th e asymmetric hydrogen transfer reduction of acetophenone. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.