Recyclable nanoscale copper(i) catalysts in ionic liquid media for selective decarboxylative C–C bond cleavage

Abstract

Here we report the synthesis and application of finely divided Cu2O nanoparticles (Cu2O-NPs) in the range from 5.5 nm to 8.0 nm in phosphonium ionic liquids as the first recyclable and effective catalytic system for smooth, ligand- and additive-free protodecarboxylation of 2-nitrobenzoic acid as a model substrate and further derivatives. The reactions run with low catalyst loadings and result in quantitative yield in ten consecutive recycling experiments. In addition this system is highly selective towards electron-poor 2-nitrobenzoic acids.