Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic applications of a palladium-nanoparticle-cored dendrimer

A palladium-nanoparticle-cored G-3 dendrimer, characterized by TEM, TGA, absorption, and IR spectroscopies, has approximately 300 Pd atoms in the metallic core and an average diameter of 2.0 nm, to which are attached fourteen G-3 dendrons. Nearly 90% of the metal nanoparticle surface is unpassivated and available for catalysis. The dendrons inhibit metal agglomeration without adversely affecting chemical reactivity. Thus, preliminary investigations have shown that Pd-G-3 can efficiently catalyze Heck and Suzuki reactions.