The catalytic formation of C-C bonds is one of the most useful transformations in organic synthesis. Over the last decade, the use of transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) in catalysis has attracted much interest and their use in C-C bond formation reactions constitutes one of their most important applications, including the Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira reactions. This tutorial review highlights recent work in this active area, considering the stabilising agents used to prepare the NPs, the catalytic results and the recycling possibilities.
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011