Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticle Deposited Sulfonic Acid Modified Graphene Composite: an Efficient Catalyst for N-Arylation Reaction

Abstract

A water soluble graphene based composite with surface-deposited copper nanoparticles (SO3H-G-Cu) has been synthesized and used as catalyst for N-arylation of heterocycles with aryl halides. The structure and composition of the nanocomposite have been characterized by XRD, FESEM and EDAX. The catalytic activity of the SO3H-G-Cu has been tested employing pyrrole and iodobenzene as model substrates. The synthesized catalyst is able to produce N-aryl heterocyles, under mild reaction conditions in a mixture of polar solvents (Ethylene glycol: water). The developed catalytic process is simple, efficient, economical, and environmentally safe.