Catalytic properties of cobalt(II) porphyrins supported on styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer

Polymeric pyridinium chloride was synthesized by treating pyridine with 2% divinylbenzene (DVB)-crosslinked chloromethyl polystyrene. Sodium 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin was synthesized and appended on the above polymer through an ionic linkage. Cobalt(II) complex of the polymeric porphyrin was synthesized and characterized chemically and spectroscopically. This complex was employed as catalyst for the oxidation of dithiocarbamates to thiuram disulfide. Electronic and ESR spectra of the complex were analyzed before and after catalysis. pH dependence of catalytic reactions was also studied. These studies provide evidence for the catalytic ability of the polymeric cobalt(II) porphyrin system. A mechanism for the catalytic reaction is suggested on the basis of the above results. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.