Heterogeneous Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of heteroaryl ester via chemoselective C(acyl)–O bond activation

A site-selective supported palladium nanoparticle catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with heteroaryl esters and arylboronic acids as coupling partners was developed. This methodology provides a heterogeneous catalytic route for aryl ketone formation via C(acyl)–O bond activation of esters by successful suppression of the undesired decarbonylation phenomenon. The catalyst can be reused and shows high activity after eight cycles. The XPS analysis of the catalyst before and after the reaction suggested that the reaction might be performed via a Pd(0)/Pd(II) catalytic cycle that began with Pd(0).