Encapsulation of Pd(OAc)2catalyst in an ionic liquid phase confined in silica gels. Application to Heck–Mizoroki reaction

Abstract

Ionogels encapsulating Pd(OAc)₂ were successfully used as catalysts in Heck–Mizoroki coupling reactions. Reaction rates were compared to homogeneous systems showing no significant difference. Leaching tests showed that catalysis actually took place in the ionic liquid phase confined within the silica matrix. The absence of leaching of palladium, the trapping of salt by-product in ionogels and the ability to produce convenient ready-to-use catalyst doses open interesting potential applications.