An efficient synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)-supported iron(II) porphyrin using a click reaction and its application for the catalytic olefination of aldehydes

The first successful synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) immobilized iron(II) porphyrin using a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3+2] cycloaddition is reported. In contrast to the existing methods for the synthesis of PEG-immobilized metalloporphyrins, the click method offers better catalyst loading under comparatively mild reaction conditions. The prepared complex 5 (PEG-C₅₁H₃₉FeN₇O) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the selective olefination of aldehydes with ethyl diazoacetate in the presence of triphenylphosphine and afforded excellent olefin yields with high (E) selectivities. The PEG-supported catalyst 5 was readily recovered by precipitation and filtration and was recycled for up to ten runs without significant loss of activity.