An easily accessible and recyclable copper nanoparticle catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of dipyrromethanes and aromatic amines

Abstract

A facile method to prepare a reusable copper nanocatalyst is reported. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the CuNPs are spherical in nature and reside in the nanoscopic template of the capping agent, guar gum. Powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm the crystalline nature of the CuNPs. The catalytic efficiency and recyclability of the synthesized CuNPs were demonstrated through the synthesis of dipyrromethanes (DPMs) and aromatic amines. Various DPMs are obtained in very good yields under solvent-free conditions and nitroarenes are converted to the corresponding amino compounds within 10 min, as evidenced by the kinetic study.