Anchoring of palladium onto the surface of porous MCM-41 modified with DL-pyroglutamic acid as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

Abstract

An environmentally friendly solid catalyst was synthesized by palladium (II) anchored to the silica MCM-41 after synthetic modification with DL-pyroglutamic acid (PCA). Palladium particles were immobilized on the surface of an acid-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41@PCA/Pd) and was identified using several analytical methods. In this method, the surface of MCM-41 was moderated by DL-pyroglutamic acid functional molecule, which assist the steady distribution of Pd particles. By electron donation from the acid molecule, the electron density of Pd particles increases. This extended catalyst displays excellent catalytic performance toward the Suzuki coupling reaction under mild reaction conditions with a large range of substrates for the reaction. The MCM-41@PCA/Pd catalyst offers eight reuse cycles without the loss of its activity. The immobilized complex did not leach or decompose through the catalytic reactions, indicating practical benefits over the homogeneous catalysis.