Magnetic nanoparticles supported N-heterocyclic palladium complex: Synthesis and catalytic evaluations in Suzuki cross-coupling reaction

Because of the robustness and magnetic properties, the magnetic materials are promising and alternative candidate for the fabrication of noble metal in chemical catalysis from the viewpoint of green chemistry. Accordingly, an eco-friendly magnetic palladium catalyst loaded on N-Methylimidazole functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-NMIM-Pd) has been designed and prepared in the present work. The resultant composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of the corresponding biaryls in good to excellent yields (up to 96%) under aerobic conditions. In particular, this catalyst could be easily recovered through magnetic separation in a few cycles. The as-prepared palladium complex showed advantages including high thermal stability, low toxicity, moisture and oxygen insensitivities in Suzuki reactions. More importantly, this study presents a catalysis system, which will provide the magnetic materials access to the potential applications in a wide range of green organic catalysis.