Combinatorial design of copper-based mixed nanoclusters: New catalysts for Suzuki cross-coupling

Quantum dots (2 - 5 nm) of copper and copper/palladium mixtures are found to be good catalysts for Suzuki cross-coupling. The catalysts are applicable to a wide range of iodo- and bromoaryl substrates, and give moderate yields using chloroaryl substrates. Cluster activity and stability is found to depend strongly on the preparation method and the reaction conditions. The mechanism of cluster deactivation and the sensitivity of the cluster-catalysed reaction to substituent effects are studied and discussed.