Mechanochemistry through Extrusion: Opportunities for Nanomaterials Design and Catalysis in the Continuous Mode

The potentialities of mechanochemistry trough extrusion have been investigated for the design of nanosized catalysts and their use in C-C bond-forming reactions. The mechanochemical approach proved successful for the synthesis of supported palladium nanoparticles with mean diameter within 6-10 nm, achieved by the reduction of Pd(II) acetate with ethylene glycol, in the absence of any solvent. A mesoporous N-doped carbon derived from chitin as a renewable biopolymer, was used as a support. Thereafter, the resulting nanomaterials were tested as catalysts to implement a second extrusion based-protocol for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of iodobenzene and phenylboronic acid. The conversion and the selectivity of the reaction were 81% and >99%, respectively, with a productivity of the desired derivative, biphenyl, of 41 mmol gcat(-1) h(-1).

Automated summary

Investigations into the potential of mechanochemistry in the design and application of nanosized catalysts have successfully synthesized supported palladium nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were then used as catalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, achieving high productivity of the desired product.