Heck reaction catalyzed by Pd-modified zeolites

[Pd]-exchanged NaY zeolites have been prepared, characterized, and applied for the first time for catalytic carbon-carbon coupling reactions. The catalysts exhibit a high activity and selectivity toward the Heck reaction of aryl bromides with olefins for small palladium concentrations (less than or equal to0.1 mol % of Pd). The catalysts can easily be separated from the reaction mixture and reused after washing without loss in activity. No limitation to the diffusion of adducts in the zeolite cages was observed (for linear alkenes). The electronic nature of the aryl bromides and the olefins has a dominating effect on the reaction yield and selectivity. The heterogeneous catalysts quantitatively convert all types of all aryl bromide (complete conversion of bromobenzene within 30 min) and activated aryl chlorides under standard reaction conditions. Product form selectivity is observed in the Heck reaction with cyclic olefins.