Preparation, optical properties and catalytic activity of TiO2@Pd nanoparticles as heterogeneous and reusable catalysts for ligand-free Heck coupling reaction

This paper reports the synthesis and use of TiO2@Pd nanoparticles, as reusable catalysts for Heck coupling reaction under ligand-free conditions. This method has the advantages of high yields, elimination of ligand and homogeneous catalysts, simple methodology and easy work up. Interestingly, the novel catalyst could be recovered in a facile manner from the reaction mixture and recycled several times without any significant loss in activity. The catalyst was characterized by SEM, EDS and UV-vis spectroscopy. Experimental absorbance spectra compared with results from the Mie theory. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.