In Situ Generation of Palladium Nanoparticles: Reusable, Ligand-Free Heck Reaction in PEG-400 Assisted by Focused Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

A rapid and efficient Heck coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal olefins was conducted in PEG-400 at 120 ˚C in the presence of potassium carbonate and palladium nanoparticles formed in situ from palladium chloride under focused microwave irradiation. High to excellent product yields were achieved. The reaction medium and catalyst could be easily recycled at least five times without significant loss in reactivity.