The composition and structure of catalytic intermediates in the context of the Suzuki – Miyaura cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd @ MIL-101-NH2 has been investigated. Trimeric and tetrameric palladium species with formula [Br-Pd-Ar] _n Br ^-(n = 3–4) have been identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, and their role in the transmetalation step has been studied. The weak nature of the bonds between Pd and the bridging halides in these species enables a very easy transmetalation step, with an estimated activation free energy of only 10 kcal / mol. Further experimental support for Pd speciation was obtained using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹⁹ F NMR). 

The mechanism of the Heck C-C coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd@MOFs has been investigated using operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) kinetic studies. A custom-made reaction cell was used, allowing operando PXRD and XAS data collection using high-energy synchrotron radiation. By analyzing the XAS data in combination with ex situ studies, the evolution of the palladium species is followed from the as-synthesized to its deactivated form. An adaptive reaction mechanism is proposed. Mononuclear Pd(II) complexes are found to be the dominant active species at the beginning of the reaction, which then gradually transform into Pd nanoclusters with 13-20 Pd atoms on average in later catalytic turnovers. Consumption of available reagent and substrate leads to coordination of Cl- ions to their surfaces, which causes the poisoning of the active sites. By understanding the deactivation process, it was possible to tune the reaction conditions and prolong the lifetime of the catalyst.

A fast and operationally simple method for the aerobic homocoupling of arylboronic acids is described. The process is catalyzed by Pd(II) complexes supported on the metal-organic framework MIL-88B-NH₂(Cr). The benefits of this approach include the use of a benign oxidant/solvent mixture at room temperature with catalytic amounts of base, easy recovery of the catalyst, and easy isolation of the products. Very high conversions and good yields were achieved for a variety of substrates, and the process was also carried out on a larger scale with the same efficiency. The catalyst was found to suffer deactivation due to progressive reduction and agglomeration of palladium into inactive metal clusters/particles. An innovative procedure for the oxidative redispersion and regeneration of the active Pd(II)@MOF species is presented. 

Selective reduction strategies based on abundant-metal catalysts are very important in the production of chemicals. In this paper, we present a method for the electrochemical semihydrogenation and semideuteration of alkynes to form Z-alkenes using a simplenickel foam as catalyst and H₃O⁺or D₃O⁺as sources of hydrogen or deuterium. Good yields and excellent stereoselectivities (Z/E up to 20:1) are obtained under very mild reaction conditions. The reaction works with terminal and nonterminal alkynes, and with alkynes containing easily reducible functional groups, such as carbonyl groups, and aryl chlorides, bromides, and even iodides. The nickel-foam electrocatalyst can be recycled up to 14 times without any change in its catalytic properties.