Synthesis and characterization of a new kind of immobilized Mn(salen) and catalytic epoxidation of styrene on the catalyst

Abstract

Abstract A linear polystyrene‐isopropenyl phosphonic acid (PS‐IPPA) copolymer was newly synthesized by free radical reaction in solution with isopropenyl phosphonic acid (IPPA) and styrene. Zirconium poly(styrene‐isopropenyl phosphonate)‐phosphate acid (ZPS‐IPPA) was also synthesized. The benzene rings of ZPS‐IPPA were hydroxylated and then further reacted with Mn(salen)Cl. Thus the heterogeneous catalyst, Mn(salen) axially immobilized onto ZPS‐IPPA was synthesized. These substances were characterized by IR spectra, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and AAS. The catalyst showed good activity to epoxidation of styrene, which is close to that of the corresponding homogeneous catalyst. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.