Harnessing Random Polymers as Chemoselective Catalysts With Structural Adaptability: Epoxidation of Olefinic Quaternary Ammonium Salts via Charge Recognition

The design of artificial chemoselective catalysts that function effectively across structurally diverse substrates remains a long-standing challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that a random heteropolymer, synthesized via radical polymerization, can function as a versatile catalyst for the chemoselective epoxidation of structurally diverse olefinic quaternary ammonium salts. This three-monomer-based polymer catalyst exhibits exceptional selectivity and remarkable structural adaptability that cannot be achieved by conventional small-molecule catalysts. Beyond reusability, our approach highlights the often-overlooked advantages of polymer catalysis, paving the way for its application in a broad spectrum of chemical transformations.