Microwave assisted cross-coupling reactions using palladium nanoparticles in aqueous media

Glucose stabilized palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) have been prepared and the application of NPs in catalyzing both Suzuki and Heck reactions has been explored in aqueous media under microwave conditions. Both electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl halides can be coupled with a variety of boronic acids and styrene to access a wide variety of biaryl compounds and substituted alkenes in good to excellent yields. The catalyst can be recycled and reused four times with minimally affecting the morphology and efficiency of the nanoparticles. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed.