Design and synthesis of amine-functionalized cellulose with multiple binding sites and their application in CC bond forming reactions

Straw is a green and promising material in nature. However, as is the case for all other biopolymers, straw have to face the challenge of underutilization thereby resulting in environmental and economic issues. To overcome these drawbacks, the urgent exploitation of straw is needed for its comprehensive utilization. In this paper, we chose cellulose as the straw model to prepare two amine ligands functionalized environmentally-friendly cellulose supported catalyst. The ethylenediamine functionalized cellulose catalyst (ADC) was effective in the reaction of aromatic aldehydes with nitromethane to synthesize nitroalkenes and 1,3‑dinitroalkanes. Based on ADC, the diethylenetriamine functionalized cellulose (CL-DETA-Cl) could capture Pd firmly by virtue of the covalent bonding between diethylenetriamine functionalized cellulose and palladium nanoparticles. The synthesized catalyst (CL-DETA-Pd) was then illuminated by using FT-IR, TGA, XRD, TEM, ICP-OES and XPS. The multifunctional complex could catalyze the Suzuki-Miyaura reactions efficiently and prevented the metal leaching through the multiple capturing sites (hydroxyl and amine groups) with palladium. Also, the catalyst could be completely regenerated in a few cycles with simple centrifugation. This study will provide reliable foundation and extensive application way to further utilization of straw. [Display omitted] •Two amine ligands functionalized environmentally-friendly cellulose supported catalyst were well-designed and synthesized.•The green catalyst showed superior reactivity to other similar modified catalysts, and good stability in Suzuki reactions.•This study offered the feasibility for using renewable resources such as straw in organic transformations.