Highly active glycerol-dendron-supported N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium catalysts with catalytic sites at the core position were obtained with an efficient modular synthesis. A symmetrical ligand structure was designed to build a larger microenvironment by increasing the number of dendron generations. The catalytic activity was tested in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. Deprotection of the dendritic supported catalysts allowed the catalytic reaction to take place in neat water, which is highly desirable for a more sustainable processing. A positive dendritic effect was observed for coupling of activated and nonactivated bromoaryls.
Key words
supported catalysis - dendrimers - carbene complexes - palladium - cross-coupling - green chemistry