Anchored Pd Complex in MCM-41 and MCM-48:  Novel Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydrocarboxylation of Aryl Olefins and Alcohols

We report here, for the first time, synthesis of anchored Pd complexes in mesoporous supports such as MCM-41 and MCM-48 as true heterogeneous catalysts for hydrocarboxylation of aryl olefins and alcohols to give excellent conversion ( approximately 100%) and regioselectivity ( approximately 99%) for 2-arylpropionic acids. The catalysts were characterized by powder-XRD, 31P CP-MAS NMR, FT-IR, TEM, XPS and ICP-AES. Recycle studies with these anchored Pd mesoporous catalysts were performed to confirm true heterogeneity.