Heterogeneous Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Conversions of Benzaldehydes with Aqueous Ammonia to Give Benzonitriles

Abstract

Abstract Heterogeneous Cu@C, which is generated by simple pyrolysis of HKUST‐1 (Cu 3 (BTC) 2 , BTC=1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate), was used as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the aerobic oxidative conversions of benzaldehydes into benzonitriles. A variety of benzaldehydes underwent a condensation with aqueous ammonia and the subsequent aerobic oxidation to produce benzonitriles in the presence of Cu@C and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO). The developed heterogeneous Cu@C catalyst was reusable without the loss of catalytic activity. The aerobic oxidative conversion of benzyl alcohol was also achieved by one‐pot strategy.