SO3H-functionalized porous organic polymer with amphiphilic and swelling properties: A highly efficient solid acid catalyst for organic transformations in water

Abstract

Abstract SO3H-Functionalized porous organic polymers were successfully synthesized by a solvothermal, free radical copolymerization, and successive ion exchange method. Physicochemical characterizations suggested that the prepared polymers featured relatively large surface areas, large pore volumes, excellent surface amphiphilicity, and nice swelling properties. These characteristics enabled the polymers as efficient acid catalysts for organic transformations in water. We demonstrated the use of these solid catalysts for hydrolysis of cyclohexyl acetate and hydration of phenyl acetylene as two case reactions. The results of catalytic tests suggested that the prepared solid acid exhibited excellent catalytic activities in both cases, which outperformed the homogeneous sulfuric acid and phenylsulfonic acid, as well as commercial amberlyst-15 resin. Furthermore, the solid acid was stable in water, and could be used repetitively for at least four times. This study provides an active and water-compatible solid acid catalyst for organic transformations in water, as well as a facile copolymerization approach for the preparation of amphiphilic heterogeneous catalyst.