Polymeric Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalysts

This project will explore the use of polymers decorated with functional monomers as catalysts for small molecule transformations. More specifically, the project will develop copolymers of inexpensive vinyl monomers with either Lewis acids or Lewis bases. Significant steric bulk on the functional monomers enforces an inability of the Lewis acid and base to react together, creating latent reactivity like in a frustrated Lewis pair. This unique system will then serve as a recyclable main group catalyst for a number of catalytic transformations and bond activations. The work will involve monomer synthesis, polymer synthesis, catalytic reactivity studies, and extensive polymer characterization.