Colloidal polystyrene-supported cooperative imidazolidinone/thiourea catalysts for efficient aldol reaction and substrate-selective Knoevenagel condensation in water

The development of immobilized cooperative catalysts that are efficient and selective is of paramount importance. Here we have developed colloidal polystyrene-supported cooperative imidazolidinone/thiourea catalysts by nanoprecipitation. The well-matched pairing of imidazolidinone and thiourea groups contributed to highly cooperative catalysis in aldol reaction and substrate-selective Knoevenagel condensation in water due to the synergistic effect of hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding between the substrates and catalysts. Such colloidal polystyrene-supported cooperative imidazolidinone/thiourea catalysts have the potential for efficient and selective catalysis of other reactions. Colloidal polystyrene-supported cooperative imidazolidinone/thiourea catalysts were developed for efficient aldol reaction and substrate-selective Knoevenagel condensation in water.