Terminal functionalization of atactic polypropylene: a new soluble polymer support

The preparation of terminally functionalized atactic polypropylenes is described. Using standard organic transformations, an olefin terminated polypropylene oligomer could be converted into many other important functional groups. Such species can serve as useful polymer-bound building blocks for synthesis and catalysis. These supported derivatives exhibit high phase-selective solubility in nonpolar solvents, making them excellent candidates for use as supported reagents/catalysts.