Living nanocatalyst for effective synthesis of symmetrical biaryls

A convenient procedure is described for the synthesis of symmetrical biaryls via Ullmann coupling reaction catalyzed by palladium nanoparticles stabilized in a polymer matrix. A wide range of aryl halide substrates is transformed into corresponding symmetrical biaryls at a mild reaction condition. Living nature of the nanocatalysts is revealed by in situ recycling methodology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) was performed to have better insight on mechanistic cycle and the result was supported by experimental evidence. Preliminary investigation also reveals that these PdNPs act as efficient catalyst in Heck and copper free Sonogashira reactions.