Stabilisation of Pd(0) on surface functionalised Fe3O4 nanoparticles: magnetically recoverable and stable recyclable catalyst for hydrogenation and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

Abstract

We describe here a methodology to immobilise/stabilise metallic Pd on surface-functionalised ferrite nanoparticles leading to a magnetically separable catalyst, which exhibits efficient catalytic activity in various hydrogenation and ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura reactions. Importantly, the use of highly branched polyethylenimine to entrap Pd nanoparticles on the surface of Fe₃O₄ results in structurally stable catalytic sites, which makes them recyclable without any loss in activity.