Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling using Nanoparticle Catalysts Helena Hagelin-Weaver, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida Our research has revealed that palladium precipitated onto a nanoparticle alumina support is a better catalyst for the coupling of 4-methyl pyridine than commonly used Pd/C catalysts despite the fact that commercially available Pd/alumina are poor catalysts. In addition, impregnation of palladium onto the nanoparticle alumina support results in poor catalysts. Catalyst Description Raw Product Yield [g/g Pd] Pd Surface Area [m2/g] Yield [g/g Surface Pd] 5% Pd Precipitated on nano-Al2O3(+) 53 7.6 152 5% Pd/C Commercial 36 5.2 155 16 71 5% Pd/Al2O3 Commercial 2.5 2.2 25 5% Pd Impregnated on nano-Al2O3(+) 4 3.0 29 5% Pd Precipitated on nano-Al2O3(-) 6 0.6 230