Anthracene-based covalent organic framework supported palladium nanoparticles for visible-light-mediated Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling

An anthracene-based covalent organic framework (COF) anchoring Pd(0) nanoparticles (Pd/AntCOF) photocatalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of arylbromides and arylboronic acids in water under blue LED irradiation at ambient temperature. The AntCOF both stabilized the Pd(0) nanoparticles and acted as a visible-light photocatalyst to separate electrons and holes, facilitating oxidative addition and transmetallation of the substrates. Only a trace of product was achieved without blue light irradiation. This protocol exhibited wide functional group tolerance and the heterogeneous photocatalyst could be recycled with negligible loss of activity after four cycles.