Highly Crystallized Pd/Cu Nanoparticles on Activated Carbon: An Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reaction

In the quest for efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for Sonogashira coupling reactions, a PEG-OMe (Methoxy Polyene Glycol) - mediated method was developed to immobilize Pd/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles on activated carbon (AC). Catalytic experiments showed that Pd/Cu@AC prepared in a PEG-OMe 500 had the highest activity. The morphology and composition of the catalyst were determined, and the identified crystallized and heterometallic nanoparticles of Pd/Cu were essential for an efficient catalytic cycle. The Pd/Cu@AC catalyst was successfully used in Sonogashira reactions (21 examples) including with aryl bromides as the coupling partner in EtOH at 80–100 °C. The catalyst was recycled at least nine times.