Monodisperse poly(4- and poly(2-vinylpyridine) nanospheres in the 500 nm diameter range
were prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization techniques under free radical
initiation of the respective monomers with 4 wt % divinylbenzene as the cross-linking agent.
The size, integrity, and nature of the nanospheres were investigated by Scanning electron
microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Auger
spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The rigid and
highly stable nanospheres with exposed pyridine nitrogen on the surface serve as an excellent
support for Pd0 nanoparticles in the range of 1−4 nm. The Pd-coated nanospheres were also
characterized by transmission electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry measurements. Four weight percent palladium-coated nanospheres serve as
good catalysts for Suzuki-, Heck-, and Stille-type coupling reactions for carbon−carbon bond
formation.
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