A facile and rapid route for the synthesis of Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles and their application in the Sonogashira coupling reaction of acyl chlorides with terminal alkynes

Abstract

We have demonstrated a facile one-step synthetic strategy for the preparation of Cu/Cu₂O nanoparticles (NPs) via a microwave method. The microwave energy acts as a driving force for the synthesis of Cu/Cu₂O NPs, which makes the process economical. In the current methodology, Cu/Cu₂O NPs were synthesized within three minutes using copper(II) acetate as a precursor and 1,3-propanediol as the solvent. The 1,3-propanediol plays multiple roles in the reaction including solvent, reactant, promoter and capping agent, and there is no need for any other additives. A structural and morphological study of the Cu/Cu₂O NPs was carried out using XRD, FEG-SEM, EDS, TEM, FT-IR, DSC-TGA and TPR techniques. This is one of the simpler, faster, less expensive and greener approaches for the synthesis of nanocrystalline Cu/Cu₂O. Furthermore, the nanocrystalline Cu/Cu₂O showed excellent catalytic activity in the Sonogashira coupling reaction of alkynes with acyl chlorides.