Spontaneous formation and catalysis of highly dispersed Pd0 on BEA zeolite

Thermal treatment of the Pd complex bearing triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and acetate as the ligands (bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) diacetate, Pd(PPh3)2(OAc)2) in toluene resulted in the formation of the aggregated Pd nanoparticles (Pd-NPs). The dispersion of the Pd nanoparticles could be achieved after the addition of *BEA zeolite during the thermal treatment of Pd(PPh3)2(OAc)2 in toluene (Pd/*BEA). Further, the Suzuki cross-coupling was performed on the prepared catalysts utilizing 4′-chloroacetophenene and phenylboronic acid as the substrates. It was observed that the catalyst, which was prepared with *BEA zeolite as the support, was active in the reactions among the various supports. The product yield increased with decreasing Pd-loading of Pd/*BEA; the highest yield was obtained when ~0.1 wt% Pd-loaded *BEA zeolite was utilized. It was inferred that the fine Pd particles close to the external surface of *BEA zeolite bearing PPh3 were active in the Suzuki cross-coupling. Contrarily, Pd(PPh3)2(OAc)2 alone and Pd-NPs were almost inactive in the reaction. [Display omitted] •Facile preparation of the highly dispersed Pd0 on the *BEA zeolite from a toluene solution of Pd(PPh3)2(OAc)2.•Pd/*BEA was specifically active in Suzuki cross-coupling using a chlorobenzene derivative.•Dispersed Pd0 bearing PPh3 ligands on *BEA zeolite was ascribed to the active species.