Supported imidazolylphosphine catalysts for highly (E)-selective alkene isomerization.

For fine chemical synthesis, immobilized catalysts offer little advantage if they produce a product mixture that must be separated. Selective isomerization of terminal olefins is achieved by heterogenized bifunctional catalysts. Outstanding and consistent (E)-selectivity (>99%) even in cases where (E) and (Z) isomers are of comparable stability, combined with modest catalyst loadings (1 to 2 mol %), set these catalysts apart from previously reported systems. Ease of catalyst removal and high geometric selectivity avoid tedious purifications.