Biogenic Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles using Malus Domestica Extract and their Catalytic Activity towards the Suzuki Coupling Reactions

Abstract

Green methods for nanoparticles synthesis have numerous advantages over typical physical and chemical procedures. These methods are simple, eco-friendly, facile and don’t pose any health risk to human body. Herein, we report an environmental friendly procedure for the production of palladium nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Malus domestica (apple). This aqueous extract has the capability to act both as a source of reducing and capping agent. In an aqueous extract complete reduction of PdCl2 salt was observed in 1.5 hours and the synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized by using ultraviolet-visible visible (UV-Vis), spectroscopy, powder X-rays diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FTIR data suggested the presence of proteins and ascorbic acid in the extract of plant. Such proteins, ascorbic acids, and similar phytochemicals have been attributed to act as reducing and stabilizing agents. It was observed by XRD that synthesized nanoparticles were crystalline in nature (JCPDS: No.05-0681, space group: Fm3m (225)). Additionally, enhanced catalytic activity was shown by these synthesized nanoparticles in Suzuki coupling reaction with only 2 mol % loading of the catalyst. During the reaction, progress and completion of reaction was monitored by Gas Chromatography and all the products were analyzed by GC-MS, IR and from their melting points.