Exposure to air boosts CuAAC reactions catalyzed by PEG-stabilized Cu nanoparticles

Abstract

New PEG-stabilized CuNP catalysts are designed upon Cu(ii) reduction with sodium naphthalenide in MeCN followed by simple purification using the salting-out effect. Their catalytic activity in CuAAC is boosted upon 30 min exposure to air, producing Cu₂O NPs. These NPs are also supported on SBA-15, providing excellent recyclable heterogeneous catalysts that are applied in low amounts for efficient "click" functionalization.