Active and Recyclable Polyethylene-Supported Iridium-(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Catalyst for Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Reactions

The multistep synthesis of a polyethylene-supported iridium( III)-(N-heterocyclic carbene) hydrogen/deuterium exchange catalyst was performed starting from an iodo-polyethylene obtained via catalyzed polyethylene chain growth (CCG) on magnesium. Unique thermomorphic polyethylene properties give the possibility to perform catalytic hydrogen/deuterium exchange reactions at 100 degrees C in the homogeneous phase with simple catalyst separation as a precipitate at room temperature. The catalytic activity of the polymer-supported catalyst was compared with that of its monomeric analogue. The catalytic studies showed that the supported catalyst exhibits similar profiles and turnover numbers as homogeneous counterparts without deactivation.