Unlocking the Nucleophilic Functionalization Potential of a Natural Asphalt: Grafting a Pd(0)–Diethanolamine Complex as a Recyclable Catalyst for Upgrading Biaryl Synthesis

This study introduces a novel method for functionalizing natural asphalt, presenting new opportunities for upgrading asphaltenes from road to a catalyst. The process utilizes a metal-free sonobromination technique in acetic acid to incorporate carbon-halogen substituents onto natural asphalt. These sites are then targeted by nucleophilic substitution with diethanolamine, followed by complexation with Pd(0) to create a unique palladium complex grafted onto natural asphalt. This stabilized complex serves as a heterogeneous and recoverable catalyst in the Suzuki reaction. This complex facilitates the reaction between aryl boronic acids and various