Natural Indian Natrolite zeolite-supported Cu nanoparticles: a new and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for N-arylation of sulfonamides with boronic acids in water under ligand-free conditions

We report here on the preparation of primary sulfonamides and efficient, easily recoverable and reusable copper nanoparticles supported on natural Indian Natrolite zeolite as a catalyst for arylation of sulfonamides with arylboronic acids in water. The catalyst was characterized using the powder XRD, SEM, EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. The significant advantages of this methodology are high yields, elimination of organic solvents, and simple work-up procedure. The catalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture and reused with no significant loss in its activity.