Decarboxylation of the 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate anion catalyzed by cross-linked poly(4-vinylpyridinium) salts

Abstract

Catalysis of cationic polyelectrolytes for the decarboxylation of 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate anion was studied in a buffer solution (pH=9.0). Cross-linked poly (4-vinylpyridinium) salts prepared from 4-vinylpyridine and α, ω -dibromides were used as cationic catalysts. The cross-linked catalysts were found to accelerate markedly the decarboxylation in comparison with the linear water-soluble analogues. Effect of the polymer structure such as the length of (CH2)x linkages between positive charges on the catalytic activity was examined. It was suggested that the acceleration by the cross-linked polymer catalysts would be due to the hydrophobic microenvironment around the catalytic sites.