Nitrogen Bound Polymers as Heterogeneous Basic Catalysts for Diastereoselective Henry Reaction in Aqueous Medium

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) has been found as an efficient recyclable heterogeneous Lewis base catalyst for the diastereoselective synthesis of syn-2-nitroalkanols in aqueous medium. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of 2- nitroalkanols are utilized for determining the ratios of syn/anti stereoisomers. This protocol provides a simple greener path for the synthesis of 2-nitroalcohols in aqueous medium at ambient condition with high yields.