Synthesis of cellulose impregnated copper nanoparticles as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for CN coupling reactions under mild conditions.

Highly efficient copper nanoparticles supported over nanocellulose have been prepared by a simple chemical reduction method. The cellulose was extracted from the inner stem of Hibiscus sabdariffa and used as a polymer matrix for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. The formation of the nanoparticles was validated through different characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV) and Energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Moreover the morphology of the cellulose supported copper nanoparticles was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and field emission transmission electron micrograph (FETEM) which revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 7 nm. The synthesized catalyst was then utilized effectively in the CN coupling reactions involving open chained as well as cyclic secondary amines and electron deficient vinylic compounds. The catalyst demonstrated excellent yield (82%-95%) and was easily recycled for upto six cycles without any significant loss of catalytic activity.