Copper on responsive polymer microgels: a recyclable catalyst exhibiting tunable catalytic activity†
Abstract
Copper has been immobilized on a chitosan-based responsive polymer microgel by simply stirring the microgel dispersion with copper sulfate. The ensuing catalyst is highly active for a model azide-alkyne [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction, and can be recycled at least 5 times; the catalytic activity can be tuned via swelling–deswelling transitions of the polymer gels.