Palladium-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation of aryl halides using paraformaldehyde as the hydride source: high-throughput screening by paper-based colorimetric iodide sensor

Paraformaldehyde was employed as a hydride source in the palladium-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation of aryl iodides and bromides. High throughput screening using a paper-based colorimetric iodide sensor (PBCIS) showed that Pd(OAc)2 and Cs2CO3 were the best catalyst and base, respectively. Aryl iodides and bromides were hydrodehalogenated to produce the reduced arenes using Pd(OAc)2 and Pd(PPh3)4 catalyst. This catalytic system showed good functional group tolerance. In addition, it was found that paraformaldehyde is the hydride source and the reducing agent for the formation of palladium nanoparticles.