Reaction of 1-bromobutane with potassium cyanide under conditions of three-phase catalysis: Activity of new polymeric catalysts

Six new polymeric catalysts active in the reaction between 1-bromobutane and potassium cyanide under conditions of liquid-solid-liquid three-phase catalysis (L-S-L TC) were prepared. The catalysts are based on a crosslinked polystyrene carrier of polar and dipolar functional groups of the type of quaternary ammonium and phosphonium, and also thioether , sulphoxide and sulphone groups. With respect to catalytic activity, an essential difference has been proved to exist between polymers where functional groups of the thio ether, sulphoxide, and sulphone type are bound as pendent on the polymer chain, and those where similar functional groups are part of the network. Compared with the water-toluene system, the water-chlorobenzene system usually gives higher yields.