Synthesis 2018; 50(19): 3862-3874
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1610246
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Dehydrative Cross-Coupling of 1-Phenylethanol Catalysed by Palladium Nanoparticles Formed in situ Under Acidic Conditions

a   School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
c   Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
,
Thomas W. Bousfield
c   Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
,
Jay J. Dunsford
a   School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
,
James Adams
a   School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
,
Joshua Britton
a   School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
,
Michael W. Fay
b   Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
,
Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis
c   Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
› Author Affiliations
This work was supported by the University of Nottingham, the EPSRC (First-Grant EP/J003298/1) and the University of Huddersfield (PhD studentship for T.W.B).

Further Information

Publication History

Received: 29 June 2018

Accepted after revision: 24 July 2018

Publication Date:
27 August 2018 (online)


Abstract

A dehydrative cross-coupling of 1-phenylethanol catalysed by sugar derived, in situ formed palladium(0) nanoparticles under acidic conditions is realised. The acidic conditions allow for use of alcohols as a feedstock in metal-mediated coupling reactions via their in situ dehydration and subsequent cross-coupling. Extensive analysis of the size and morphology of the palladium nanoparticles formed in situ showed that the zero-valent metal was surrounded by hydrophilic hydroxyl groups. EDX-TEM imaging studies using a prototype silicon drift detector provided insight into the problematic role of molecular oxygen in the system. This increased understanding of the catalyst deactivation allowed for the development of the cross-coupling methodology. A 250-12,000 fold increase in molar efficiency was observed when compared to related two-step protocols that use alternative feedstocks for the palladium-mediated synthesis of stilbenes. This work opens up a new research area in which the active catalyst is formed, stabilised and regenerated by a renewable sugar.

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