Nickel and palladium nanocomposite carbon aerogels as recyclable catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura reaction under aerobic and phosphine-free conditions in water

Recyclable and readily prepared Ni and Pd nanocomposite carbon aerogels have been successfully used in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction in water medium and aerobic conditions. In these ligand-free and environmentally-friendly conditions the Ni-carbon aerogel shows better recyclability than the corresponding palladium material. No appreciable leaching of Nickel could be detected after six reaction cycles. Interestingly enough, we have demonstrated for the first time that metal embedded carbon aerogels can be also used in water medium. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.