Direct radical polymerization of 4-styryldiphenylphosphine: preparation of cross-linked and non-cross-linked triphenylphosphine-containing polystyrene polymers

We report herein a simple synthesis of 4-styryldiphenylphosphine and the radical copolymerization of it with styrene, both with and without a cross-linker, to directly form cross-linked and non-cross-linked polystyrene supported triphenylphosphine in which the level of phosphine incorporation can be easily and accurately controlled. The utility of these polymers is demonstrated by their use in Mitsunobu and alcohol bromination reactions.