A Pd-II Carbene Complex with Anthracene Side-Arms for pi-Stacking on Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO): Activity towards Undirected C-H Oxygenation of Arenes

An N-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complex containing two anthracene side arms was immobilized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by pi-stacking. The activity of the homogeneous analogue and the supported complex in undirected C-H acetoxylation reaction of arenes was studied. The results show that the catalytic efficiency in acetoxylation of benzene is improved in the immobilized materials compared to the homogeneous analogue. According to XPS analysis, the immobilized catalyst maintains the original oxidation state of Pd-II after the catalytic reaction.