Cross-linked resins functionalized with triorganotin carboxylates: synthesis, characterization and preliminary catalytic screening in transesterification

Abstract

Cross-linked polymers containing triorganotin carboxylate functionalities were synthesized from ionic exchange resins bearing carboxylic groups. The organic tin substituents selected were methyl and butyl in order to ensure different accessibility at the metal centre. The functionalization degree depends on the different substituents and strongly affects the thermal stability of the final product. Catalytic screenings were performed in order to assess the activity of the above resins in transesterification reactions, using ethyl acetate as a substrate, together with differently hindered alcohols. The results obtained point to a negligible role of the bulkiness of tin substituents with a small contribution of the metal atom Lewis acidity in the conversion of the primary alcohol, whereas with secondary and tertiary alcohols the steric hindrance of the reagent strongly affects the conversion of the reacting alcohol. The transesterification process takes place at the liquid–solid interface, so that the catalyst grafted to an insoluble solid support can be completely removed by simple filtration. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.