Catalysts supported on polymer colloids

Abstract

-Polymer colloids containing tetraakylphosphonium ions as phase transfer catalysts and cobalt ions as autoxidation catalysts have been prepared by emulsion polymerization and subsequent functional group transformations on the colloids. The 0.27 pm colloidal phase transfer catalysts are more active for reaction of cyanide ion with benzyl bromide than are the analogous 20 pm spherical bead catalysts, but the high electrolyte strengths used in phase transfer catalysis cause the colloids to coagulate. Cobalt phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate bound to ion exchange colloids catalyzes autoxidation of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol. Cobalt ions bound as carboxylic acid salts to poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) copolymer latexes in the presence of amine ligands catalyze autoxidation of tetralin.