2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin Polymer as a Mimetic Enzyme for Mediated Synthesis of Benzaldehyde in Water

2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was immobilized onto cellulose with epichlorohydrin as a cross-linker. The obtained polymer, as biomimetic catalyst, was used to mediate synthesis of benzaldehyde in aqueous solution. The functionalized mimetic enzyme played a crucial role on catalytic oxidation of cinnamaldehyde with remarkable substrate conversion and product selectivity. Synergistic effect based on weak interactions between the polymer and the substrate results in significant promotion of the catalytic performance. The catalyst could be recycled without apparent loss of the original activity.