Highly efficient, quick and green synthesis of biarlys with chitosan supported catalyst using microwave irradiation in the absence of solvent

• A new method for Suzuki coupling reactions by using microwave irradiation.
• Green synthesis of biarlys compounds under a solvent-free reaction condition.
• The catalyst showed excellent high TON and TOF values.
• Heterogeneous Pd(II) catalyst exhibited longer lifetime.

The aim of this study was to develop a quick reaction that had high activity with a small amount of catalyst, which could be an eco-friendly alternative technique for the synthesis of biarlys in Suzuki coupling reactions. First, a novel chitosan Schiff base supported Pd(II) catalyst was synthesized, and its structure was illuminated with FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, TG/DTG, SEM/EDAX, XRD, ICP-OES, UV–vis, magnetic moment, and molar conductivity techniques. Subsequently, the catalytic activity of the catalyst was tested in Suzuki CC reactions under microwave irradiation using a solvent-free reaction condition. The catalytic tests showed an excellent activity with a small load of the catalyst (0.02 mol%) in 4 min. The catalyst showed seven runs without loss of activity, and high values of turnover numbers (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) were obtained. The novel biopolymer supported Pd(II) catalyst provided much faster reaction times, higher yields, and reusability under microwave heating compared to classic heating methods.