Palladium nanoparticles embedded in metal–organic framework derived porous carbon: synthesis and application for efficient Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions

A nanoporous carbon (NPC) material was prepared by one-step direct carbonization of a metal–organic framework, MOF-5, without additional carbon precursors. Pd nanoparticles were immobilized on the MOF-5-derived NPC by an impregnation method coupled with subsequent reduction with NaBH4. The prepared catalyst was in-depth characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption. The catalyst was used to catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions and exhibited high catalytic efficiency with yields ranging from 90% to 99% under mild conditions. The results demonstrated the great application potential of MOF precursor-based metal nanoparticle composites in catalysis.