Cobalt-immobilized carbon-based nano-catalyst for CN cross coupling reaction

Abstract

CN cross coupling reaction is very important in synthesis of pharmaceuticals, natural products, agrochemicals, fine chemicals and functional materials. Traditionally, palladium or copper metals are used for CN coupling reaction. As palladium is expensive, we developed cobalt immobilized carbon-based nano-catalyst Co@CC for CN coupling. In this work, we synthesized non-noble metal-based Co@CC nano-catalyst by carbonization of glucose, it’s functionalization followed by immobilization of cobalt on the surface of the catalyst. The catalyst was well characterized. The CN cross coupling reaction of various aryl halides & amines using Co@CC nano-catalyst was optimized for solvent, reaction temperature & catalyst concentration conditions. The catalyst showed high catalytic activity for CN coupling of various aryl halides & amines to form aryl amines in good to excellent yield up to 91 % in sulfolane as a solvent at 150 °C. The catalyst showed recyclability up to 5 times. The method developed for CN coupling reaction was noble metal free, ligand free, recyclable, sustainable, economical & environmentally friendly.

Keywords

• C–N cross-coupling
• Carbon-based
• Cobalt
• Reusable
• Excellent yields