Pyrrolidine modified PANF catalyst for asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to nitrostyrenes in aqueous phase

Three chiral pyrrolidine functionalized polyacrylonitrile fiber catalysts have been designed, prepared, and evaluated for their catalytic performance in asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to nitrostyrenes in water. With the optimized catalysts and conditions in hand, their reaction scope for nitrostyrenes was explored. Then the fiber catalysts were further applied to a packed-bed reactor for continuous-flow Michael addition. Based on the fact that organic solvent can inhibit the catalytic activity, a novel microenvironment catalytic mechanism is proposed. Three chiral pyrrolidine functionalized polyacrylonitrile fiber catalysts have been designed, prepared, and evaluated for their catalytic performance in asymmetric Michael addition of ketones to nitrostyrenes in water.