Polymer supported cobalt(II) catalysts for alkene epoxidation

A study of polyaniline (PANI), poly-o-toluidine (POT) and poly-o-anisidine (POA) cobalt supported catalysts has been presented. The catalysts were prepared by depositing cobalt species onto the polymers surfaces. Cobalt(II) acetate and N,N′-ethylene-bis(salicylideneimine) cobalt(II) (Co(II)Salen) were used in the syntheses. The catalysts performance was examined in epoxidation of trans-stilbene by molecular oxygen and they turned out to be very efficient under mild conditions. The relationship between the surface exposure of cobalt species and the activity of these polymeric catalysts has been established.