Effect of Alkyl Structures on the Anti‐stacking and Anchoring of Pd/Diamine‐Functionalized Graphene Nanoparticles in Application in Suzuki Reaction.

Main observation and conclusion: Three diamines (1,8‐diaminooctane/p‐phenylenediamine/biphenylenediamine) with different alkyl groups were used to synthesize the functionalized graphene networks. Pd as the common metal catalyst was used to explore the effects of alkyl types of diamines on anti‐stacking, metal anchoring ability of functional graphene and hence the catalytic performance. The results were discussed by characterization of the material and its catalytic properties. All catalysts showed excellent catalytic performance on the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction with a high yield of up to 100%. The p‐phenylenediamine and biphenylenediamine functionalized graphene with larger specific surface area was beneficial to improve the stability of the graphene catalyst and maintain good catalytic activity after 5 cycles. The Pd nanoparticles in 1,8‐octanediamine materials have smaller size and a smaller loading with the same or even better catalytic performance than p‐phenylenediamine, biphenylenediamine materials, due to the stronger electron donating ability of N of octanediamine than that of p‐phenylenediamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]