In situ synthesis of carbon nanotube-encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles by a novel and simple chemical treatment process: efficient and green catalysts for the Heck reaction

In this study, we present a novel, fast and easy method for supporting metal nanoparticles onto the internal surface of multi-walled CNTs; these CNT-encapsulated nanoparticles as heterogeneous, efficient, inexpensive and green catalysts promote the Heck cross-coupling of a large library of functional substrates under mild and sustainable conditions. Remarkably, the introduced catalytic system could be reused for at least nine successive runs without a discernible decrease in its catalytic activity.