The application of non-cross-linked polystyrene-supported triphenylarsine in Stille coupling reactions

NCPS–AsPh3 is a soluble polymer-supported triphenylarsine that performed equally well compared to free triphenylarsine as ligands in the Stille cross-coupling reaction of organic electrophiles and organostannanes, with the advantage that it can be conveniently and efficiently separated from the reaction by precipitation, and recycled for further use. The performance of this non-cross-linked polystyrene-supported arsine was found to be generally superior in Stille coupling reactions over the analogous polymer-supported phosphine, paralleling observations on the free ligands. Palladium-catalyzed modification of the polymer-supported arsine was possible through Pd–Ar/As–Ph exchange. Exploiting the ease of isolation of the polymer-supported reagent, the modified arsine is recycled for reuse in the Stille reaction and has led to a reduction in the yield of undesired scrambling products.