Synthesis of Ion-Exchange Catalysts by Introduction of Fluorinated Ponytails into Novel Mesoporous Polymers

A novel synthetic procedure for the functionalisation of styrenic cross-linked polymers with perfluorinated acyl chains has been reported. The effective significant grafting of the fluorinated moieties is supported by {H-1}-C-13 and {F-19}-C-13 NMR characterisations. This kind of polymer appears promising as catalytic support for a variety of reactions requiring a highly lipophilic catalyst. Indeed, the improved lipophilicity of the materials resulted in enhanced catalytic properties of the corresponding sulfonic materials in the reaction of esterification of a solution in a vegetable oil of stearic acid with methanol.

Automated summary

A new synthetic method for functionalizing styrenic cross-linked polymers with perfluorinated acyl chains has been reported, and the successful grafting of fluorinated moieties has been confirmed by {H-1}-C-13 and {F-19}-C-13 NMR characterizations. This type of polymer shows promise as a catalytic support for various reactions that require a highly lipophilic catalyst. Increasing the lipophilicity of the materials results in improved catalytic properties in the esterification reaction of stearic acid with methanol in a vegetable oil solution.