Supramolecular photocatalyst of Palladium (II) Encapsulated within Dendrimer on TiO2 nanoparticles for Photo‐induced Suzuki‐Miyaura and Sonogashira Cross‐ Coupling reactions

Abstract

In this study, synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of a novel supramolecular photocatalytic system including palladium (II) encapsulated within amine‐terminated poly (triazine‐triamine) dendrimer modified TiO2 nanoparticles (Pd (II) [PTATAD] @ TiO2) is presented. The obtained nanodendritic catalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, ICP‐AES, XPS, EDS, TEM, TGA and UV‐DRS. The as‐prepared nanodendritic catalyst was shown to be highly active, selective, and recyclable for the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira cross‐coupling of a wide range of aryl halides including electron‐rich and electron‐poor and even aryl chlorides, affording the corresponding biaryl compounds in good to excellent yields under visible light irradiation. This study shows that visible light irradiation can drive the cross‐ coupling reactions on the Pd (II) [PTATAD] @ TiO2 under mild reaction conditions (27–30 °C) and no additional additives such as cocatalysts or phosphine ligands. So, we propose that the improved photoactivity predominantly benefits from the synergistic effects of Pd (II) amine‐terminated poly (triazine‐triamine) dendrimer on TiO2 nanoparticles that cause efficient separation and photogenerated electron–hole pairs and photoredox capability of nanocatalyst which all of these advantages due to the tuning of band gap of catalyst in the visible light region.