The preparation of polymeric organophosphorus ligands for catalyst attachment

Polystyrene crosslinked with divinylbenzene (2 or 20%) was converted to polystyrene-lithium by treatment with a 1:1 complex of butyl-lithium- tetramethylethylenediamine in cyclohexane. The lithiated polymer was allowed to react with chlorodiphenylphosphine to produce polystyryldiphenylphosphine. The radial distribution and percent substitution of phosphine could be controlled over a wide range by controlling the reaction time and temperature. Rhodium (I) hydrogenation catalysts could be prepared from these polymeric ligands.