Metal nanoparticles have been widely
exploited in catalysis, but their full impact on the
environment and human health is still under debate. Here we describe the one-step
fabrication of polymer microbead-supported metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and
their application as recoverable nanocatalysts for reactions under batch and
flow conditions. Au, Ag and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were
prepared directly at the surface of benzylamine-coated spherical polymer beads
in water by using low energy microwave radiation. The morphology and size of
the nanoparticles, and therefore their catalytic properties, were tuned by modifying
the bead surface using betalamic acid, an antioxidant from plant origin. The
catalytic performance and recovery of these environmentally friendly
nanocatalysts was demonstrated towards model redox chemical transformations. We anticipate the
results reported herein can provide important insights into the controlled and
facile synthesis of microparticle supported nanocatalysts under mild
conditions.
One step synthesis of Diflunisal using a Pd-diamine complex
