Palladium single-atom catalysts (SACs) have caught great attention owing to their maximal atom utilization and outstanding activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. However, a facile manufacturing method for kilogram-scale synthesis of noble metal SACs with high productivity is still in demand. This study reports on the synthesis of SACs by direct ball milling of commercial metal oxides and nitrate precursors with a productivity of ∼100%. The as-prepared Pd1/FeOx SACs show high catalytic performance (the TOFs are 7844 h-1), high stability, and general applicability for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction under mild conditions. More encouragingly, kilogram-scale Pd1/FeOx SACs can be synthesized in one batch by this approach, endowing great potential for industrial applications. Furthermore, the preparation of Pt, Ru, and Rh SACs is also successfully carried out via the ball milling method, demonstrating favorable applicability. Our findings illustrate exciting chances presented by the highly efficient synthesis of SACs for the formation of C-C bonds.
Keywords: Suzuki−Miyaura cross-coupling reaction; ball milling; highly efficient synthesis; palladium; single-atom catalysts.