Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on Benzene Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride: An efficient catalyst/photocatalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura C C coupling reaction

As a key method for C–C bond formation, the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling is usually catalysed by homogeneous systems under thermal heating, making catalyst separation difficult and requiring high energy input. Herein, the preparation, characterisation and catalytic/photocatalytic performance of heterogeneous nanocatalysts with BD-g-C3N4 (Benzene Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride) support material, whose surface was modified with Pd nanoparticles, is presented. The photocatalytic and catalytic activity of the obtained Pd@BD-g-C3N4 nanocatalyst was investigated in Suzuki–Miyaura C[sbnd]C coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid and various arylhalides under aerobic conditions and water as sole solvent. The Pd@BD-g-C3N4 catalyst in the coupling of p-bromoacetophenone and phenylboronic acid showed conversion rates of between 73 and 99 % as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation at 25 °C and as a thermal catalyst at 100 °C, respectively. Furthermore, Pd@BD-g-C3N4 shows very good recyclability and wide applicability for Suzuki-Miyaura C[sbnd]C coupling reactions.