Synthesis of a triphenylphosphine reagent on non-cross-linked polystyrene support: application to the Staudinger/Aza-wittig reaction

A new triphenylphosphine reagent linked to a linear polystyrene was synthesized. The reactivity of this phosphine-bound polymer is superior to that of the phosphine bound to cross-linked polystyrene. The polymer reacted very rapidly with azides to generate iminophosphoranes which could then react with aldehydes to generate imines in good yields and high purities.