Synthesis of magnetically recyclable Fe3O4@[(EtO)3Si-L1H]/Pd(II) nanocatalyst and application in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

A Pd(II) Schiff base complex as an efficient and highly heterogeneous catalyst was developed by immobilization of a palladium complex on the surface of modified Fe 3 O 4 magnetite nanoparticles. These surface‐modified nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The palladium catalyst exhibited efficient catalytic activity in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions. This method has notable advantages such as excellent chemoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times and excellent yields. The yields of the products were in the range 85–100%. Also, the nanocatalyst can be easily recovered with a permanent magnet and reused at least five times without noticeable leaching or loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.