Reactivity of Carbenes in Aqueous Nanomicelles Containing Palladium Nanoparticles

Palladium nanoparticles ligated with inexpensive triphenylphosphine and amphiphile PS-750-M are suitable for exploring the reactivity of carbenes in aqueous nanomicelles. Nanocatalyst is highly selective for metal-carbene migratory insertion, and micelle of PS-750-M shields the in situ generated carbene to prevent the dimerization. In addition to a broad substrate scope, the nanocatalyst is thoroughly characterized by NMR, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The sustainability of the reaction system is demonstrated by the recyclability of both the catalyst and the micellar reaction medium at variable reaction scales. NMR and kinetics studies with the recycled catalyst revealed the retention of catalyst integrity. Control experiments including the dynamic light scattering study demonstrate the importance of PS-750-M.