Pd NPs ONTO SOLID SUPPORT FOR HYDROGENATION REACTIONS AND PRODUCTION OF FINE CHEMICALS.

We work for the Initial Training Network Nano-HOST, a European Project whose proposal includes the development and exploitation of highly efficiency, highly selective and recyclable new catalytic systems. Our target is the environmentally-friendly synthesis of Pd NPs supported onto ion exchange resins. Nanoparticles (NPs) research is currently an area of intense scientific interest due to a wide variety of potential applications. NPs are defined as particles with size in the range of 1 to 100nm. Because of this very small size scale, they possess an immense surface area per unit volume, what enhances their use as catalysts. These supported catalysts present some features very interesting from the industrial point of view: oReady separation and quantitative recovery oHigh and constant efficiency and selectivity upon recycling oEasy handling, preparation and integration in reactor equipments. oAdaptability to continuous flow reactors oAddition of chiral ligands to perform asymmetric catalysis oLow cost The NPs have been synthesized starting from a Pd precursor which is immobilized onto the resin. To test the activity and verify the recycling of these catalysts, hydrogenation reactions were performed using substrates such as olefines, alpha-ketoesters or alkynes. The results showed high catalytic efficiency under mild conditions, effective recycling, and negligible catalyst leaching