Polymeric Catalysts

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Abstract
The present‐day position in the field of polymeric catalysts is outlined. The following selected groups of polymeric catalysts are discussed: synthetic hydrolases, immobilized enzymes, phase‐transfer catalysts, nucleophilically active bases, polymers with conjugated π‐systems, photosensitizers, polymers as carriers for catalytically active metals or ions, and immobilized homogeneous catalysts. Polymeric catalysts have the following valuable properties: insoluble polymeric catalysts are readily separable from reaction solutions and can often be re‐used without loss of activity; a hydrophobic matrix protects the organometallic active center from deactivation by oxygen and water; by fixation of finely divided metals on an ion exchanger, multistage reactions may be effected successively in one reactor. Polymeric carriers may influence the catalytic properties; for example, in the case of immobilized enzymes on polyionic carriers the pH of the activity maximum may be shifted.