Efficient heck and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by heterogeneous Pd NPs-decorated porous MOF catalysts under mild conditions

Abstract

Carbon-carbon coupling reactions are extremely interesting for a variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. In this study, we investigated the utilization of functionalized MIL-101 porous MOF for stabilizing palladium nanoparticles (NPs) and examined their catalytic performance in the cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with phenylboronic acid and methyl acrylate under mild conditions. To achieve this, MIL-101(Al) was synthesized using a solvothermal method, followed by functionalization with environmentally friendly l-Cysteine (CYS). Subsequently, the MIL-101(Al)-CYS compound was immersed in an ethanolic solution of palladium and stirred overnight. The catalyst exhibited remarkable efficiency (over 90 %) in Suzuki and Heck cross-coupling reactions, demonstrating excellent activity and recyclability. The reactions were conducted in polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), a green reaction medium, at temperatures of 70 °C and 60 °C, with Pd loadings of 0.22 and 0.08 mol%, respectively. MOF-based catalysts, owing to their highly tunable structures and porosity, hold great promise as heterogeneous catalysts in organic reactions.