A series of quaternary ammonium-based (QAB) functionalized polyacrylonitrile
fibers as superbase catalysts for CC bond forming reactions
in water were prepared. Alkyl with different chain lengths and benzyl
were used to tune the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity and polarity of
the inner surface microenvironment of the QAB functionalized fiber
catalysts, and the different microenvironment and the active site
synergistically promote the completion of the reaction. The mechanism
of the influence of different hydrophilic/hydrophobic catalysts on
catalytic activity was proposed. The quaternary ammonium-based functionalized
fibers with eight carbon alkyl chains (PANQAB‑8F)
as the optimal catalyst performed excellently in green water solvent
with specific advantages of low catalyst dosage, mild conditions,
high efficiency, and extensive substrate adaptation. Furthermore,
the PANQAB‑8F catalyst is very suitable for the
continuous flow process, and more than 86% yield was obtained even
after the continuous reaction for 160 h; the fiber can be recovered
easily and recycled more than 10 times in the continuous-flow system.