Microgel-stabilised metal nanoclusters: improved solid-state stability and catalytic activity in Suzuki couplings

Microgel-stabilised nanoclusters of Pd and Pt have been prepared starting from microgels based on N,N-dimethylacrylamide. The size of the resulting nanoclusters is controlled by the nanomorphology of the microgel stabiliser. The microgel-stabilised nanoclusters are stable over long periods of time in the solid state as well as in solution. Microgel-stabilised Pd nanoclusters, as well as microgel-anchored palladium(II) acetate, are active catalysts for the Suzuki coupling of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid