Preparation of microcapsule-supported palladium catalyst using SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) emulsification technique

A new method for the preparation of microcapsule-supported palladium catalyst was described. The highly monodisperse cross-linked polystyrene microcapsules containing phosphine ligand were synthesized by the self-assembling of phase separated polymer (SaPSeP) method using diphenyl(4-vinylphenyl)phosphine and divinylbenzene as a monomer and crosslinking agent, respectively, and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator within the droplets of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, which were prepared by using the Shirasu Porous Glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique. The prepared microcapsule-supported palladium catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for Heck reaction and can be reused several times without loss of activity.