Polystyrene-supported CuI–imidazole complex catalyst for aza-Michael reaction of imidazoles with α,β-unsaturated compounds

The polystyrene-supported CuI–imidazole complex catalyst was prepared and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM/TEM and TG/DSC. The complex catalyst was globular with the size of 400–500 nm and showed a good thermal stability at high temperature. The immobilized Cu metal in the complex catalyst was about 0.85 mmol/g. By using the catalyst, aza-Michael reaction of imidazoles to α,β-unsaturated compounds was performed with good yields in 4–8 h. The catalyst showed an excellent recycling efficiency over five cycles without distinct leaching of metal from the polymer support.

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► Polystyrene-supported CuI–imidazole complex catalyst was prepared and characterized.
► Catalysts for aza-Michael reaction of imidazoles with α,β-unsaturated compounds.
► It showed an excellent recycling efficiency over five cycles without distinct metal leaching.