A highly efficient, ligand-free and recyclable SBA-15 supported Cu2O catalyzed cyanation of aryl iodides with potassium hexacyanoferrate(ii)

Abstract

SBA-15 supported Cu₂O nanoparticles (Cu₂O/SBA-15) have been fabricated and characterized. The as-prepared Cu₂O/SBA-15 is a highly effective catalyst for cyanation of aryl iodides using non-toxic K₄[Fe(CN)₆] as a cyanide source in dimethylformamide (DMF). The approach achieves a high selectivity and an excellent yield without using any ligands and base additives. Moreover, the Cu₂O/SBA-15 catalyst shows wide functional group tolerance and reusability with a slight loss of activity.