Modulating the activity and selectivity of an immobilized ruthenium-porphyrin catalyst using a fluorous solvent

A ruthenium porphyrin catalyst with styrene side chains was incorporated into a highly cross-linked polymer by co-polymerization with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of a chloroform porogen. Oxidation reactions catalyzed by the resulting polymer were accelerated when perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PFMC) was used as a cosolvent. Moreover, the PFMC co-solvent was found to change the substrate selectivity of the catalytic reactions. Both effects could be explained by a PFMC-induced partitioning of substrates and oxidant into the polymeric, catalyst containing matrix.