Palladium-catalyzed reactions involve the use of palladium, a precious metal, as a catalyst to facilitate chemical reactions. Catalysts are substances that speed up reactions without being consumed in the process. Palladium is particularly effective in promoting reactions such as cross-coupling, where two organic molecules are joined together, making it valuable in organic synthesis. These reactions are widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. The ability of palladium to activate carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds allows chemists to create complex molecules efficiently. This has made palladium-catalyzed methods essential tools in modern chemistry.