In Situ Decorated Palladium Nanoparticles on Chitosan Beads as a Catalyst for Coupling Reactions

A green protocol for the in situ synthesis of Pd nanoparticles on chitosan beads (Pd NPs-CS) is reported without the need to use any toxic reducing agents. The preparation of the Pd nanoparticles catalyst was performed using a simple coordination reaction between the prepared chitosan beads and palladium ions (Pd NPs-CS). The obtained catalyst was characterized by different techniques, including SEM, EDX, DRX, and FTIR analyses. The Pd NPs-CS catalyst was investigated in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and Heck reaction under greener conditions, and the results show high catalytic activity and selectivity. The bead form of the Pd NPs-CS catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture to obtain the desired products, as confirmed by spectroscopic methods. This sustainable catalyst has the advantages of having sustainable organic reactions such as biopolymer support and recovery without significant loss of catalytic activity or selectivity.