Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Zinc Oxide as Efficient Catalyst for the N-Arylation of (Hetero)cyclic and Acyclic Amides

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) supported on ZnO are highly active and selective heterogeneous catalyst for the N-arylation of cyclic and acyclic amides (Golberg coupling). The reaction conditions are mild, featuring K3PO4 as a base and N,N'-dimethylethylendiamine (DMEDA) as ligand in refluxing acetonitrile. The CuNPs/ZnO catalyst can be recovered and reused in six cycles with only little loss of activity. The methodology can be successfully scaled up to gram scale without decreasing the catalytic activity.

Automated summary

Copper nanoparticles supported on ZnO exhibit high activity and selectivity in the N-arylation of cyclic and acyclic amides, with mild reaction conditions and the ability to be reused multiple times without significant loss of activity. The methodology can also be successfully scaled up to gram scale without diminishing catalytic activity.