Sustainable Suzuki–Miyaura Cross Coupling Reaction Using Ag–Pd Alloy Nano-Particle Photo-Catalyst

The light absorbing ability of silver atoms, and the catalytic prowess of palladium were both combined in this research to conduct a sustainable Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reaction. Alloy nano-particle photo-catalysts were synthesised using different ratios of AgNO₃ and PdCl₂, while ZrO₂ was used as the catalysts support platform. The synthesised alloys nano-particles were characterised for metal content with the aid of an EDS while the surface area of the nanoparticle was estimated using the BET method. The surface area of all the synthesised nano-particle were very close to that of the ZrO₂ support platform which was reported to be 11.10 M² g⁻¹. XRD and UV–VIS spectrometry analysis were also carried out on the synthesised alloy nanoparticle photo catalysts. The six synthesised alloy nanoparticle photo-catalyst with an average diameter of less than 8 nm and an even distribution of Ag and Pd in it crystal was then used individually to carry out the cross coupling of 3 iodotoluene and phenylboronic. acid, alloy 1 which has a 1:1 mol ratio of Ag and Pd metal gave a percentage conversion of 96% which was higher than that of other Alloys. Similarly, the TON and quantum yield when alloy 1 was used was higher than other alloys. The versatility of the synthesised alloy in this research was also tested by using the alloy to carry out the cross coupling of a broad range of substrate, and the percentage conversion, TON, and quantum yield in each case was impressive. The biaryl cross coupling product generated in each reaction were also characterised.