Pd-MCM-48: a novel recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for chemo- and regioselective hydrogenation of olefins and coupling reactions

A novel, heterogeneous Pd-MCM-48 catalyst has been developed by encapsulating palladium nanoparticles into the cubic phase of mesoporous MCM-48 matrix at room temperature. The catalyst demonstrated excellent chemo- and regioselectivity for the hydrogenation of olefins at room temperature within 30-80 min. The turnover frequency for the hydrogenation is very high (4400 h(-1)). Interestingly, selectivity of the catalyst was significantly influenced by the mode of addition of palladium precursor. Moreover, the catalyst was also very effective for the coupling reactions with the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds under ligand-free and aerobic conditions.