Polystyrene-supported acid catalysis

The present state of polymer-supported acid catalysis is considered. Models describing the catalytic action of gel-like and macroporous resin catalysts are presented. By chemical modification of poly (styrene-co-divinylbenzene) matrices, e.g. different ways of sulphonation, nitration, chlorination, fluorination and sulphoalkylation, the activity/selectivity and thermal stability of sulphonic acid resin catalysts can be improved. The synthesis of polymer-supported Lewis acids is described. By comparison to AlCl₃ higher catalytic activities are obtained with the use of AlBr₃.