Catalysis and regioselectivity of the aqueous heck reaction by Pd(0) nanoparticles under ultrasonic irradiation

An aqueous Heck reaction carried out under ultrasonic irradiation at the ambient temperature (25 degrees C) has been shown in this study to afford high yields of corresponding products. It was found that as a catalyst for the reaction palladium forms nanoparticles in-situ, characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses, and can be recycled. Furthermore, the Heck reaction under such mild and environmentally friendly conditions offers excellent regioselectivity of para-over ortho-substitution in phenyl iodides especially with electron-donating groups.