Polymerization of l-proline functionalized styrene and its catalytic performance as a supported organocatalyst for direct enantioselective aldol reaction

As an alternative approach to the graft modification of polymers to fabricate polymer-supported chiral organocatalysts in a bottom-up fashion, l-prolinamide functionalized polymers were prepared by general solution homopolymerization or copolymerization of l-proline functionalized styrene monomer in the presence of 1,4-divinylbenzene as the crosslinking agent. The catalytic performance of the as-prepared heterogeneous catalysts towards the direct enantioselective aldol reaction of ketones with a series of aromatic aldehydes was explored. Our findings indicate that the as-prepared heterogeneous catalysts can afford relevant aldol addition products with good yields (up to 96%), high diastereoselectivities (up to 8:92 dr) and excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 96%); they also exhibit good recyclability, retaining high yield and rate as well as good selectivity after several cycles.