Dendrimer-templated Pd nanoparticles and Pd nanoparticles synthesized by reverse microemulsions as efficient nanocatalysts for the Heck reaction: A comparative study

- Pd nanoparticles were synthesized using dendrimer templates and reverse microemulsions.
- Smaller particle sizes with narrower size distributions were obtained using the dendrimer templates.
- Heck C-C coupling with various conditions were examined.
- Correlations between activation parameters and particle sizes are reported.
- Dendrimer-templated catalysts show superior catalytic activity under mild conditions.