Synthesis of Ion-Exchange Catalysts by Introduction of Fluorinated Ponytails into Novel Mesoporous Polymers.

A novel synthetic procedure for the functionalisation of styrenic cross-linked polymers with perfluorinated acyl chains has been reported. The effective significant grafting of the fluorinated moieties is supported by { 1 H}- 13 C and { 19 F}- 13 C NMR characterisations. This kind of polymer appears promising as catalytic support for a variety of reactions requiring a highly lipophilic catalyst. Indeed, the improved lipophilicity of the materials resulted in enhanced catalytic properties of the corresponding sulfonic materials in the reaction of esterification of a solution in a vegetable oil of stearic acid with methanol.