N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide polymer brush and its application in catalyzing coupling reaction

Poly (N-hydroxy methyl acrylamide)-grafted silicon, glass, and quartz surfaces were successfully prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) with methyl alcohol/water mixtures as solvents and CuCl/2,2-dipyridyl as a catalyst. The modified surfaces were characterized by water contact angle, atomic force microscope (AFM), Fluorescence spectrophotometer, Low-angle X-ray diffraction (LAXRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the homogeneous and well hydrophilic N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide polymer brushes (NHAM-brushes), which had high hydrophilic properties and the added advantage of providing 3-D coatings with higher binding capacities, were obtained successfully. Cyclopalladated arylimine functionalized polymer brushes were also obtained by reacting HAM-brushes with N,N′-Carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and cyclopalladated arylimine. The catalyst functionalized PHAM-brushes had good catalytic activity in heterogeneous compared to homogeneous catalyst and exhibited much improved stability and recyclability over time in Suzuki cross-coupling reaction.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (258 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► PHAM-brushes were prepared by SI-ATRP in MeOH/H2O solution. ► Characterization results showed PHAM-brushes had well hydrophilic properties. ► The advantage of providing 3-D coatings with higher binding capacities was obtained. ► Cyclopalldium complex catalysis NHAM-brushes were obtained by reacting with CDI. ► Catalysis NHAM-brushes had high catalytic activity for Suzuki coupling reaction.