Modification of palladium–copper thin film by reduced graphene oxide or platinum as catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

This study describes the synthesis of PdCu, PdCu/reduced graphene oxide and PtPdCu nanoparticle thin films via a simple reduction of organometallic precursors including PtCl₂(cod)] and PdCl₂(cod)] (cod = cis ,cis ‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene) complexes, in the presence of Cu(acac)₂] (acac = acetylacetonate) complex at toluene–water interface. The structure and morphology of the thin films were characterized using energy‐dispersive analysis of X‐rays, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Our studies show that all of these nanoparticles are suitable for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling (SMC) reaction in water. PtPdCu and PdCu thin films showed higher catalytic activity compared to Pd thin film in the SMC reaction due to the appropriate interaction among palladium, platinum and copper metals.