Pd–Au–Y as Efficient Catalyst for C–C Coupling Reactions, Benzylic C–H Bond Activation, and Oxidation of Ethanol for Synthesis of Cinnamaldehydes

Pd–Au nanoalloy supported on zeolite-Y (Pd–Au–Y) matrix was found to be an effective catalyst for C–Cl bond activation and oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol, leading to the formation of various biaryl products and 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, BINOL. The same catalyst was also highly efficient for selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols to benzaldehydes. Cinnamaldehydes were obtained directly from benzaldehydes by aldol condensation with acetaldehyde generated in situ by partial oxidation of ethanol in the presence of Pd–Au–Y catalyst at 120 °C under basic condition. The biaryl products were also obtained directly from benzylic alcohols in a one-pot system by reacting with phenylboronic acid. The formation of biaryls from benzylic alcohols was believed to occur via one-pot benzylic C–H and C–Cl bond activation. A high % yield of biaryls, BINOL, aldehydes, and cinnamaldehydes was obtained by performing different reactions using the single Pd–Au–Y catalyst. The strong interaction of chloro-benzylic alcohol was predominantly located at active gold species. X-ray photoelectron and diffuse reflectance spectroscopic studies revealed the strong interaction between Pd and Au particles. Electrochemical studies provided proper evidence for the individual role of the nanoparticles (NPs) in one-pot synthesis of biaryls from benzylic alcohols.