Palladium nanoparticles stabilized by an ionic polymer and ionic liquid: A versatile system for C-C cross-coupling reactions

Highly stable palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs), protected by an imidazolium-based ionic polymer (IP) in a functionalized ionic liquid (IL), have been prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These Pd NPs are excellent precatalysts for Suzuki, Heck, and Stille coupling reactions and can be stored without undergoing degradation for at least 2 years. The NP-IP-IL system may therefore be considered as an alternative to the traditional palladium on carbon (Pd/C) precatalyst employed in many C-C coupling reactions, also allowing reactions to be conducted under solvent-free conditions.