Polymer-supported N-hydroxyphthalimide as catalyst for toluene and p-methoxytoluene aerobic oxidation

In the present study, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) was successfully immobilized on (aminomethyl) polystyrene and (chloromethyl) polystyrene via amide or ester bonds. The obtained polymer-supported NHPIs have demonstrated catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of toluene and p-methoxytoluene. The oxidations were performed using cobalt(II) salts as co-catalysts, in acetic acid as solvent or in more environmentally acceptable solventfree system. The possibility of recovery and recycling of the obtained polymer-supported NHPIs was reported.