Molecular Imprinting with Ruthenium Porphyrin Catalysts

Abstract

A ruthenium meso-tetra [4-(vinylbenzoxy)benzyl]porphyrin catalyst with four polymerizable side chains was synthesized in three steps from commercially available starting materials. The polymerizable side chains allowed the incorporation of this complex in highly cross-linked mesoporous co-polymers. A block polymer and a molecularly imprinted polymer were prepared by co-polymerization with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate using chloroform as the porogen. The imprinted polymer was prepared in the presence of aminodiphenylmethane as a template. Subsequent removal of the template created a substrate pocket next to the catalytically active center. Both polymers displayed a high catalytic activity for the oxidation of alcohols and alkanes with 2,6-dichloropyridine-N-oxide as the oxidant while the homogeneous catalyst was completely inactive. Furthermore, the imprinted polymer displayed a significant increase in activity compared to the block co-polymer.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

“…This may rightly be deemed a daunting task. Nonetheless, MIP‐based catalytic systems and the use of MIPs in synthesis continue to evolve . Recent reports of several systems with significant catalytic power bodes well for the continued development in this sector.…”

Heteroarene N‐Oxides as Oxygen Source in Organic Reactions

“…Another interesting work describes the synthesis of new ruthenium porphyrin catalyst with polymerizable side chains which was afterwards incorporated in cross‐linked mesoporous co‐polymers (Scheme ) . A molecularly imprinted polymer (a template is used to locate the substrate pocket next to the catalytically active site) as well as block polymer (without a template) were synthesized and tested for the oxidation of alkanes and N ‐oxides as terminal oxidant.…”