Green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Pistacia atlantica kurdica gum and their catalytic performance in Mizoroki-Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions in aqueous solutions

A one‐pot green method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd‐NPs) supported on Pistacia atlantica kurdica (P. a. kurdica) gum is described. This natural gum is used as a reducing and stabilising agent. The formation of the Pd‐NPs/P. a. kurdica gum catalyst was verified using several techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The Pd‐NPs stabilised by P. a. kurdica gum were employed as a heterogeneous catalyst in Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions at low palladium loading (0.1 mol%) under aerobic, phosphine‐free and ligand‐free conditions in water. Product yields of up to 98%, a facile work‐up, no evidence of leached palladium from the catalyst surface and smooth recovery of the catalyst, which can be reused at least eight times, confirm the efficiency of the catalysts in the reactions investigated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Palladium nanoparticles stabilised by Pistacia atlantica kurdica gum are efficient and stable catalysts in Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions.