Transition metal nanoparticles show excellent catalytic activity because of their small size. We investigate the catalytic activity, stability and recycling potential of two different types of nanocatalysts. The two types of catalysts used are the palladium nanoparticles supported onto the surface of functionalized and unfunctionalized silica colloids. We used aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the linker to functionalize silica colloids. These catalysts are used to catalyze Heck-reaction between styrene and iodobenzene that forms trans-stilbene. The fresh and recycled catalysts are characterized using TEM and EDS to observe any changes that might be taking place to the catalysts after its use in the reaction. Our studies showed that the palladium nanoparticles supported onto unfunctionalized silica colloid supports showed more catalytic activity compared to the palladium nanoparticles supported onto functionalized silica colloid supports after the first cycle of Heck-reaction. However, the palladium nanoparticles supported onto functionalized silica colloid supports showed more stability and recycling potential compared to palladium nanoparticles supported onto unfunctionalized silica colloid supports.

Functionalized colloidal supported metal nanoparticles (CSMNs) as efficient recyclable nanocatalysts for liquid-phase Heck reaction

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.