Selective cross-coupling of amines by alumina-supported palladium nanocluster catalysts

Al2O3-supported Pd nanoclusters with an average particle size of 1.8 nm act as a reusable catalyst for the selective cross-coupling of amines. The reaction is a structure-sensitive reaction, demanding coordinatively unsaturated Pd atoms on a metallic nanocluster. The support also affects the activity, an amphoteric oxide (Al2O3) is most effective.