Inside-out core–shell architecture: controllable fabrication of Cu2O@Cu with high activity for the Sonogashira coupling reaction

Abstract

Inside-out core–shell architectures (Cu₂O@Cu) with a Cu₂O core and a Cu shell, which are in contrast to the normally reported Cu₂O-outside structure (Cu@Cu₂O), were fabricated. This strategy can also be applied to construct square and hexapod Cu₂O@Cu. The obtained Cu₂O@Cu composite exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the Sonogashira coupling reactions.