Ceria-coated cordierite monolith: A recyclable catalyst for palladium and ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura coupling in water

Phase-pure CeO₂ was synthesized by the solution combustion method, which crystallized in its cubic fluorite structure. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by SEM, EDX analysis, powder XRD, H₂-TPR and FTIR to confirm its structure. This precious metal-free catalyst shows excellent activity towards the ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction in aqueous media. Various biaryls, such as symmetrical, asymmetrical and heterocyclic moieties were obtained from corresponding aryl halides and arylboronic acid with good yields. The ceria can be coated on cordierite monolith, which acts as a catalyst cartridge, employed with ease in recycling experiments. An attempt for scale-up reaction is also carried out with a good yield.

Graphical abstract

The phase pure CeO₂ was synthesized by the solution combustion method which crystallized in its cubic fluorite structure. This precious metal-free catalyst shows excellent activity towards the ligand-free Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction in aqueous media. Recycling and scale-up reactions are carried out by employing catalyst coated cordierite monolith with ease.