Cu(0) Nanoparticles Anchored on Graphene Oxide Functionalized with (P, N) Donor Ligand: Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for CO Coupling and Reduction of Nitroarenes

Graphene oxide surface has been functionalized with a (P, N) ligand (PPh₂−CH₂−CH₂ –NH₂) has been done. The graphene oxide, with (P, N) donor sites, was further treated with copper chloride and sodium hydroxide. It resulted in the formation (Scheme 1) of Cu(0) nanoparticles on the surface of  functionalized graphene oxide (GO−P−Cu). The powder X−ray diffraction, FTIR, XPS, raman spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, HR−TEM authenticated the formation of GO−P−Cu. The distribution of Cu(0) NP’s having size ~3−6 nm on GO−P was found nearly uniform. This GO−P−Cu have been explored for reduction of nitroarenes and C−O coupling between phenols and aryl halides. Good to moderate yields were obtained at a catalyst loading of 10−15 mg for C−O coupling. In case of reduction of nitroarenes, maximum conversions of nitroarenes were observed at a very low catalyst loading of 2 mg and that too in aqueous medium. The recyclability of GO−P−Cu has been studied for reduction of nitroarenes and it has been found that it can be efficient upto 5 reaction cycles.

Author(s): Preeti Oswal

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article