Preparation and characterization of macroporous polystyrene resins containing ethynyl groups and transition metal acetylide complexes

Ethynylated polystyrene resins were prepared as functionalized polymer supports by the iodination reaction of macroporous polystyrene resins and reacted with transition metal diethynyl complex (Mt = Ni) and metal halides (Mt = Rh, Pd, and Pt) in a basic solvent using cuprous iodide as a catalyst to obtain macroporous polystyrene resins containing organotransition metals. The distribution of the metal acetylide complexes in the modified macroporous resins was determined by an electron probe microanalyzer. A gradient in the transition metal distribution was observed in any case of the modified resins. The stability of the organotransition metal complexes in the polymer matrix could be compared with a low molecular weight analogous complex quantitatively.