Chitosan microspheres supported palladium heterogeneous catalysts modified with pearl shell powders

Significant enhancement of the catalytic stability and activity was obtained for the heterogeneous palladium catalyst supported on the shell powders-reinforced chitosan microspheres. For example, over 90% cross-coupling yields were achieved using as low as 0.05 mol% palladium catalyst loading for the Heck-type reaction of iodobenzene with n-butyl acrylate. Such significant enhancement of the catalytic stability and activity can be attributed to the intermolecular interactions of the surface polar molecules of the incorporated shell powders with the surrounding chitosan molecules as well as the deposited palladium species.

► The modified Pd/CS/SP/GA catalyst has much higher activity and stability than that of common Pd/CS/GA.
► To achieve high cross-coupling yields, the catalyst amount used in this study is very low (0.07 mol%).
► The performances of the heterogeneous catalysts are related to the dispersion state of SP in CS matrix.