Metal nanoparticles inside microgel/clay nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic efficiency in cross-coupling reactions.
OBJECTIVE
Laponite nanoclay embedded inside soluble crosslinked copolymers (microgels) may act as cation exchanger allowing loading of the microgels with cationic metal precursors, which upon reduction yield tailored ternary colloidal nanocomposites comprising both nanoclay and metal nanoparticles.


METHODS
Microgel nanohybrids with variable Laponite nanoclay content were loaded with cationic precursors of different noble metals (Pd, Pt, Au); subsequent reduction by several methods yielded ternary nanocomposites which were extensively characterized. Nanocomposites based on Pd were also tested as catalysts in standard Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions.


RESULTS
The proposed method for the production of ternary nanocomposite microgels has been validated. The factors influencing the final metal nanoparticle size (nature of the reducing agent, clay content in the microgel) have been determined and rationalized. The resulting Pd-containing ternary nanocomposite microgels are viable catalysts of standard cross coupling reactions in water-rich medium.
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
Andrea
A
Contin
Andrea
A
Biffis
Stefano
S
Sterchele
Karla
K
Dörmbach
Susanne
S
Schipmann
Andrij
A
Pich
Cross-coupling; Gold; Laponite nanoclay; Metal nanoparticles; Microgels; Nanocomposites; Nanogels; Palladium; Platinum