Carbonylation reactions of iodoarenes with PAMAM dendrimer-palladium catalysts immobilized on silica

Palladium complexes immobilized onto generation 0-3 PAMAM dendrimers supported on silica were used as catalysts for the carbonylation of iodobenzene in methanol to form methyl benzoate. High yields were obtained and the catalyst was recycled 4-5 times without significant loss of activity. The carbonylation reaction was found to be applicable to a variety of iodoarenes regardless of the nature of the substituent.