Functionalization of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes with pramipexole for immobilization of palladium nanoparticles and investigation of catalytic activity in the Sonogashira coupling reaction

Pramipexole drug was attached to the surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by reaction of acylated carbon nanotubes with pramipexole for the first time. The modified MWCNTs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopies and CHNS analysis. The prepared pramipexole–MWCNTs were used for immobilization of palladium nanoparticles as a novel nanocatalyst. After characterization of the final nanocomposite, the pramipexole–MWCNTs/Pd was applied as a novel phosphine‐free recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira reactions. Interestingly, the novel catalyst could be recovered and recycled five times without any significant loss in activity. Novel pramipexole–multi‐walled carbon nanotubes were prepared and used for immobilization of palladium nanoparticles as a novel nanocatalyst with high activity in Sonogashira coupling reactions of aryl halides (iodides, bromides, chlorides).