Application of an air-and-moisture-stable diphenylphosphinite cellulose-supported nanopalladium catalyst for a Heck reaction

A diphenylphosphinite cellulose-supported nanopalladium (Cell?COPPh₂-Pd⁰) was conveniently prepared from cellulose and chlorodiphenylphosphine in pyridine, followed by treatment of an ethanol solution of palladium chloride. The prepared catalysis was found to be air- and moisture-stable and have significant catalytic activities in Heck coupling under mild operating conditions. Various phenyl halides were coupled with alkenes in DMF under air, to afford the corresponding products in good yields. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily recovered by simple filtration and reused for up to six cycles without losing its activity.