selectivity in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions on Pd@meso-
SiO2 catalyst. The diffusion barrier caused by the nanoreactor
features of the catalyst and the preferential adsorption of bulky
phenylboronic acid were the key reasons for the observed shape
selectivity. Although the largest molecular diameter is smaller
than the pore size of SiO2, the preferential adsorption of bulky
phenylboronic acid molecules would decrease the free space
inside the mesopores and cause overwhelming diffusion barrier
for other reactants and products. The overall reaction was
consequently limited. A combined experimental and computational
study on the molecular dynamics would offer better
understanding of the phenomenon. A combined experimental
and computational study on the molecular dynamics would
offer better understanding of the phenomenon. For future
work, we will optimize the pore size of the mesopores and
expand this catalyst to other noble metal catalyzed reactions,
and employing synchrotron beamline base techniques to
elucidate the chemistry within the mesoporous channels.