Removal of an olefin metathesis catalyst using 4-nitrophenyl acrylate based polymer supports

A polymer-supported 1,4-butanediolvinyl ether derivative was used for removal of an olefin metathesis catalyst (PCy3)2(Cl)2Ru(3-phenyl-indenylid-1-ene) (M1, PCy3 = tricyclohexylphosphine) from the reaction solution. Poly(styrene-co-4-nitrophenyl acrylate), cross-linked with either ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or divinylbenzene was prepared via suspension polymerisation and modified chemically to yield a supported acid chloride and subsequently a 1,4-butanediolvinyl ether derivative. A batch reaction of supported vinyl ether with M1 resulted in binding of the catalyst onto the polymer. A high accessibility of up to 43% of reactive sites in the polymer matrix could be achieved.