Direct benzylation of carboxylic acids using Pd@Cu2(BDC)2DABCO via C‐H (sp3) bond activation

In this study, Pd nanoparticles encapsulated in the copper‐based mesoporous metal–organic framework (Cu2(BDC)2DABCO) and used as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst to establish a method for the direct benzylation of carboxylic acids through C‐H (sp3) bond activation. The catalyst structure was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). This catalyst showed high catalytic activity, selectivity, and good functional group tolerance for the direct benzylation of carboxylic acids. Pd‐NPs@Cu2(BDC)2DABCO is used as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in this study to establish a method for the synthesis of benzyl benzoate via C‐H bond activation. Pd nanoparticles encapsulated in the mesoporous metal–organic framework showed extraordinarily high catalytic activity and selectivity for the direct benzylation of carboxylic acids with toluene.