A Cobalt Tandem Catalyst Supported on a Compressible Microporous Polymer Monolith

A compressible microporous polymer monolith (MPM) was prepared by performing the Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction between 1,4-diiodobenzene and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene in a gel state without stirring. MPM was functionalized via the click reaction with 1,3,5-tris(azidomethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene and 2,6-diethynylpyridine. MPM showed superhydrophobicity but became hydrophilic after the click reaction. The functionalized MPM (F-MPM) had polar triazole groups generated by the click reaction, which were used as coordination sites for Co(II) ions. Cobalt nanoparticles were loaded to F-MPM through in situ reduction of coordinated Co(II) ions to produce a monolithic Co heterogeneous catalyst (Co-MPM). The microscopic study showed that MPM, F-MPM, and Co-MPM consisted of fiber bundles, together with spherical particles on the micrometer scale. Co-MPM was used for tandem catalysis. Co-MPM promoted the reaction of dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and hydrogenation of nitro compounds in one pot to give amine product...