Versatile Synthesis of Polyaniline/Pd Nanoparticles and Catalytic Application

Polyaniline/Pd nanoparticles were synthesized through two approaches. “Direct reduction approach” was revealed to be a simple method to prepare small (2–7 nm) and dispersed polyaniline/Pd nanoparticles via reduction with sodium borohydride. On the other hand, “template approach” was developed to provide a versatile route to small and well‐dispersed nanoparticles (1–4 nm, average diameter = 2.4 nm) with high Pd density due to pre‐organization of Pd(II) species on polyaniline into the corresponding d,π‐conjugated complex. Thus‐obtained nanoparticles worked as an efficient redox catalyst for oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6‐di‐t‐butylphenol.