Anchored palladium bipyridyl complex in nanosized MCM-41: a recyclable and efficient catalyst for the Kumada–Corriu reaction

A palladium bipyridyl complex anchored onto nanosized mesoporous silica MCM-41 catalyzed the cross-coupling of aryl iodides or bromides with Grignard reagents to provide the corresponding biaryls in high yields. The reaction proceeded smoothly with an equal molar amount of substrate and Grignard reagent in the presence of 0.2–0.02 mol % of catalyst in THF at 50 °C or under refluxing conditions. The catalyst prepared may be used in a very low percentage, recovered after reaction, and re-used.