In situ generated copper nanoparticle catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrophenol

In situ generated Cu nanoparticles catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 very efficiently at room temperature with good recyclability up to four cycles. The precursor compound, formed by hydrothermal treatment of copper chloride with urea at 120 degrees C for 6 h, produces Cu nanoparticles on reduction with NaBH4 during the course of the reaction. The synthesized precursor and the catalyst are characterized by various analytical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM-EDX, TEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy.