A Novel Wilkinson's Type Silica Supported Polymer Catalyst: Insights from Solid-State NMR and Hyperpolarization Techniques

The synthesis of a novel immobilized Wilkinson's catalyst [SiO2 similar to PvPy-Wilk] is presented. The support material of this catalyst consists of silica particles that are modified with polymer brushes carrying pyridyl moieties that enable the coordination of Wilkinson's catalyst. The synthesis of this catalyst is monitored by 1D and 2D multinuclear solid-state NMR techniques to confirm the success of the immobilization. The [SiO2 similar to PvPy-Wilk] catalyst is then tested in the hydrogenation of styrene, and its reusability is inspected showing that significant structural changes after several reaction cycles yield an activation of the catalyst. Finally, the catalyst is tested in PHIP experiments giving rise to about 200-fold enhancement of the signals of the hydrogenation product ethylbenzene.