Graphene-supported Cu2O nanoparticles: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for C–O cross-coupling of aryl iodides with phenols

Abstract

Cu₂O/graphene as a heterogeneous catalyst can effectively ignite and catalyze the Ullmann C–O cross-coupling of aryl iodides with phenols under mild conditions. The yield of diphenyl ether from the cross-coupling of phenol and iodobenzene can reach up to 96% at 150 °C in 3 h, and the turnover frequency can be as high as 1282 h⁻¹. Meanwhile, the catalyst exhibits activity for varieties of C–O cross-coupling of aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides with phenol derivatives to form the corresponding aryl ethers.