Synthesis of copper nanoparticles supported on a microporous covalent triazine polymer: an efficient and reusable catalyst for O-arylation reaction

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles were supported on a microporous covalent triazine polymer prepared by the Friedel–Crafts reaction (Cu@MCTP-1). The resulting material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms at 77 K, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and Cu particles with an average size of 3.0 nm and a BET total surface area of ca. 1002 m² g⁻¹ were obtained. Cu@MCTP-1 was evaluated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Ullmann coupling of O-arylation over a series of aryl halides and phenols without employing expensive ligands or inert atmosphere, which produced an excellent yield of the corresponding diaryl ethers. The catalyst could be recovered by simple centrifugation and was reusable at least five times with only a slight decrease in catalytic activity.