Graft-polymerization of phosphine functionalized monomers onto silica particles

Summary Triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), a well-known reagent and catalyst, was successfully grafted onto silica particles in a functionalized polymer form using 4-(diphenylphosphinyl)styrene as a monomer. 4-(Diisopropylphosphinyl)styrene and 4-(ditertbutylphosphinyl)styrene were also grafted onto silica in the form of a functionalized polymer and oligomer, respectively. Two methods were used: A) Copolymerization of phosphine-functionalized monomers with a vinyl compound previously attached to silica; and B) Polymerization of phosphine-functionalized monomers using a radical initiator previously attached to silica. The resulting materials were characterized by FTIR, DTA-TGA, specific surface area (S_BET) and XPS. The best results in grafting percent and molecular weight of the grafts were obtained by method B. Received: 7 February 2002 /Revised: 10 July 2002/ Accepted: 10 July 2002