Encapsulation of Pd(II) into superparamagnetic nanoparticles grafted with EDTA and their catalytic activity towards reduction of nitroarenes and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling

A robust, safe and magnetically recoverable palladium catalyst was synthesized by anchoring Pd(II) onto ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid-coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@EDTA) magnetic nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle-supported Pd(II)–EDTA complex catalyst thus obtainedwas characterized using scanning and transmission electronmicroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Fe3O4@EDTA–Pd(II) was screened for the Suzuki reaction and reduction of nitro compounds in water. The Pd content of the catalyst was measured to be 0.28 mmolPd g_1. In addition, the Fe3O4@EDTA–Pd catalyst can be easilyseparated and recovered with an external permanent magnet. The anchored solid catalyst can be recycled efficiently and reused five times with only a very slight loss of catalytic activity.