Pd-catalyzed synthesis of a tethered soluble polymeric phosphine ligand

The use of a Pd-catalyzed phosphine-aryl iodide coupling chemistry to prepare soluble polymeric phosphine ligands is described. The lack of sensitivity of the catalyst to the presence of excess phosphine ligand and the fact that the soluble polymeric phosphine ligands are effective ligands for the active catalyst results in a self-replicating ligand synthesis. Ligand or ligand plus catalyst recovery is achieved by solvent precipitation of the polymeric product of this chemistry. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.