Design of experiment (DOE) and process optimisation of palladium catalysed biphenyl synthesis

The effects of time, temperature and catalyst concentration were investigated for an optimised condition of biphenyl synthesis by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions by Neolyst catalysts. The optimisation process was analysed using Box Behnken Face-Centred Experimental Design in Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The design was employed to derive a statistical model for the effect of parameters studied on the yield of biphenyl. The coefficient of determination, r2 was 0.9883% after model reduction. With an optimum time of 6.63 h, a temperature of 73°C and with minimum catalyst concentration of 0.013 mol% gives the optimum conditions for the maximum yield of biphenyl.