Copper nanoparticles generated from aggregates of a hexarylbenzene derivative: a reusable catalytic system for ‘click’ reactions

Abstract

Fluorescent aggregates of hexarylbenzene derivative 3 have been utilized as reactors for the preparation of copper nanoparticles in aqueous medium, which serve as effective catalytic system for the alkyl–azide ‘click’ reaction to synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions. This catalytic system can be recycled and reused five times without significant loss of catalytic activity.