Polymer-Supported Chiral Organocatalysts: Synthetic Strategies for the Road Towards Affordable Polymeric Immobilization

In this microreview, we highlight the field of polymer-supported organocatalysis, especially immobilized enamine and iminium organocatalysts. We try to formalize the overall synthetic strategies for polymeric immobilization as spanning the area of two overlapping regions, from a copolymer strategy favoured by low-valued and small catalysts to a classical post-modification strategy favoured by valuable and/or large catalysts. Organocatalysis is particularly interesting as it is probably best described as being located in the transitional region, and we will trace the historic and factual origins for the unfortunate predispositions towards post-modification schemes. In addition, we try to identify affordable and useful syntheses of key organocatalyst immobilization intermediates, as well as polymer supports that are more compatible with a broader range of reaction solvent polarity, something of crucial importance in organocatalysis.