(6gw) Recombinant Peptide-Templated Palladium Nanoparticle Synthesis and Their Catalytic Activity in Coupling Reactions

The catalytic ability of synthesized palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) using recombinant peptides with narrow size distribution prepared in an impure environment was studied. The soluble fraction of bacterial lysates containing repeat units of a metal binding domain (Pd4) fused to the carrier protein Green Fluorescent Protein (GFPuv) was used to direct nanoparticle synthesis. Eliminating the costly purification of a peptide, highly ordered NPs on the order of 2 nm were synthesized. Indeed, the heterogeneous nature of the synthesis did not interfere with the formation of small nanoparticles. NPs can be used for cross-coupling reactions. Due to their high stability and the capability of using green solvents, impure recombinant peptide-directed Pd NPs serve as a remarkable catalyst for well-known coupling reactions commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry such as Suzuki and Stille cross-coupling. Characterization of prepared Pd NPs confirmed the synthesis of highly ordered materials which are able to catalyze the synthesis of fifteen representative compounds.

Research Interests: Protein expression, Inorganic nanoparticles, nucleation and growth of nanoparticles, catalysis, pharmaceutical applications

Teaching Interests: Physical properties of materials, Mechanical properties of materials, Advanced reactor design, Thermodynamics, Nanomaterials