Simple Kinetic Method for Distinguishing between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mechanisms of Catalysis, Illustrated by the Example of "Ligand-Free" Suzuki and Heck Reactions of Aryl Iodides and Aryl Bromides

Using a simple method based on an analysis of the phase trajectories of competing reactions of several substrates, it has been established that the selectivity of catalytically active species in the Suzuki reaction of aryl bromides depends on the nature of the catalyst precursor. This indicates that there is a considerable contribution from heterogeneous catalysis. At the same time, in the reaction involving aryl iodides, when the catalyst concentration in the solution is much higher, the selectivity of the catalyst is precursor-independent, suggesting that homogeneous catalysis is dominant. In the Heck reaction of both aryl bromides and aryl iodides, pure homogeneous catalysis takes place.