Preparation of flavin-containing mesoporous network polymers and their catalysis

Riboflavin tetramethacrylate (RFlTMA) was prepared as a flavin monomer and copolymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) under polymerization-induced phase separation conditions. The resulting flavin-containing mesoporous network polymer, poly(RFlTMA-co-EGDMA), was found to be a more effective catalyst than riboflavin tetraacetate (RFlTA), a soluble analogue, for aerobic hydrogenation of olefins despite its heterogeneity, which allowed for its multiple recovery and reuse through simple filtrations and washings without loss in catalytic activity. In addition, the polymeric flavin was demonstrated to be utilized also as an effective photocatalyst in the oxidation of benzyl alcohols.