We report here the
synthesis and thorough characterization of a
new family of alkylbiguanides and alkylbiguanidium chlorides by
1
H and
13
C NMR and X-ray diffraction. Their critical
micelle concentration was first determined by surface tension measurements.
Hexylbiguanide was then studied as a surfactant in the micellar Suzuki–Miyaura
cross-coupling reaction. The unexpected low reactivity of the system
at high Pd/hexylbiguanide ratios was due to the change of the size
and the shape of the aggregates, observed by transmission electron
microscopy. The best catalytic activity was obtained for a 1:1 Pd/hexylbiguanide
ratio for which the micellar conditions were conserved. Better results
were obtained for several substrates, when compared to those previously
obtained with metformin under the same reaction conditions. Higher
yields and a better recyclability were obtained under micellar conditions
with hexylbiguanide.