Polymer-metal complexes,based on poly(itaconic acid ester) derivatives,as catalysts for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Poly(methyl itaconates) and poly(heptyl itaconates), modified with ethylene diamine (EN) and tetraethylene pentamine (TETRAEN) side chains, were complexed with cobalt and copper ions, and their efficiencies as catalysts for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide were assessed. All the polymer complexes studied were found to be active catalysts, but it was observed that the polymers with TETRAEN side chain, when complexed with CoCl₂ and CuCl₂ were less efficient than polymers with EN side chains which were complexed with trans-dichlorobis(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) chloride, trans-[Co(EN)₂Cl₂]Cl. One feature of interest was that when the alkyl side chain of the poly itaconate was heptyl the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was faster than when the alkyl group was methyl.