Thermomorphic fluorous phosphines as organocatalysts for Michael addition reactions

The fluorous phosphines P[(CH2)mRfn]3 (Rfn = (CF2)n−1CF3; m/n = 2/8, 3/8, 3/10) are efficient nucleophilic catalysts of Michael addition reactions. They can be easily recycled based upon their highly temperature-dependent solubilities (thermomorphism), with recovery by simple liquid/solid phase separation. The phosphonium salt formed by reaction of the nucleophilic phosphine with the α,β-unsaturated system appears to be a significant component of the catalyst rest state.

Graphical abstractThe fluorous phosphines P[(CH2)mRfn]3 (Rfn = (CF2)n−1CF3; m/n = 2/8, 3/8, 3/10) are efficient nucleophilic catalysts of Michael addition reactions. They can be easily recycled based upon their highly temperature-dependent solubilities (thermomorphism), with recovery by simple liquid/solid phase separation. The phosphonium salt formed by reaction of the nucleophilic phosphine with the α,β-unsaturated system appears to be a significant component of the catalyst rest state.Download full-size image