Abstract: The Pd nanoparticles with diameters of 3–6 nm were obtained by the decomposition of Pd₂(dba)₃ (dba = dibenzalacetone). They were captured by activated carbon directly to prepare the assembled Pd/C catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the size, distribution, and electronic state of Pd nanoparticles. This assembled catalyst showed extraordinary properties in Suzuki coupling reaction, which was over twice than the Pd/C catalyst prepared by the impregnation method. Under the conditions of 80 ^oC and 0.5 h, the catalyst can catalyze Suzuki reactions of aryl bromide with a coupling product yield of 98%. The assembled Pd/C catalyst can also catalyze the reaction of o-chloronitrobenzene with a yield of 64% in 1 h when the reaction temperature was 110 ^oC, and the yield can be higher than 90% with extending the reaction time.

Key words: palladium, nanoparticle, activated carbon, supported catalyst, aryl bromide, aryl chloride, Suzuki reaction