Generation of palladium nanoparticles within macrocellular polymeric supports: Application to heterogeneous catalysis of the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction

We present new hybrid organic/inorganic materials dedicated to heterogeneous catalysis. The systems are obtained by the polymerization of a high internal phase reverse emulsion (the so-called polyHIPE porous materials) and have been further functionalized with various organic groups in order to promote the growth of palladium nanoparticles on its surface. Final supports are then tested for their ability to catalyze the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction, and one material exhibits better activity than the well-known Pd@C powder system. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of these materials are close to those obtained with their homogeneous catalysis counterpart. These new supports remain active towards a wide range of substrates associated with Suzuki-Miyaura carbon-carbon coupling reactions.