Pd–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organic silica: synthesis and application in carbon–carbon coupling reactions

The first Pd–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex in the form of organic silica was prepared using sol–gel method and its application in Heck and Suzuki reactions was demonstrated. These C–C coupling reactions proceeded efficiently under the influence of microwave irradiation, with excellent yield, without any change in catalytic activity for at least five reaction cycles, with negligible Pd concentration in the end product.