Layered Double Hydroxides as Bifunctional Catalysts for the Aryl Borylation under Ligand-Free Conditions

Organic derivatives of boron, such as boronic esters and acids, are important precursors for a wide range of environmental, energy, and health applications. Several catalytic methods for their synthesis have been reported, even though with the use of toxic and structurally complex ligands. Herein, we demonstrate preliminary studies envisaging the synthesis of boronic esters from an inexpensive catalytic system based on Cu/Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) in the presence of Na2PdCl4. The Cu/ Al LDHs were prepared according to coprecipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) (with Rietveld refinement) to evaluate the contamination with malachite and other phases. Preliminary catalytic results suggest that pure Cu/Al LDH has potential for the borylation of aryl iodides/ bromides in the absence of base. Indeed, a synergic effect between copper and palladium is possibly related to the catalytic efficiency.

Hydration of nitriles to amides by a chitin-supported ruthenium catalyst

Chitin-supported ruthenium (Ru/chitin) promotes the hydration of nitriles to carboxamides under aqueous conditions.