Catalytic Activity of Polymer Anchored Cu-tren Complex in the Oxidation of 2,6-Di-t-butyl Phenol

Abstract

Poly(styrene-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co- dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) were prepared by solution polymerization. These polymers were quaternized by methyl iodide and n-hexyl bromide. The produced polymers were used as support in the aqueous oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DBP) using hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by tris(2-aminoethyl)amine copper(II) complex “Cu(II)-tren complex” anchored on the prepared polymers. The products obtained from the reactions were 3,3′-5,5′-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinine (DPQ) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (BQ). No reaction products were obtained when the reaction was carried out in the absence of polymeric catalyst. The polymer composition and reaction medium greatly affect product distribution of the reaction. Polar organic solvent like DMF and methanol favor the formation of DPQ, while nonploar organic solvent like benzene and methylene chloride favor the formation of BQ. Hydrophobic branches of polymers 6 (PS-HexBr-Cu-TREN) and 8 (PMMA-HexBr-Cu-TREN) favor BQ formation as the weight of support increased. On the other hand, DPQ is favored in the presence of hydrophilic branches as observed for both polymeric catalysts 5 (PS-MeI-Cu-TREN) and 7 (PMMA-MeI-Cu-TREN).