Popping of g-C3N4 mixed with cupric nitrate: Facile synthesis of Cu-based catalyst for construction of CN bond

Abstract

A novel strategy to synthesize copper-based nanoparticles supported on carbon nitride (C3N4) was developed by popping of mixture containing C3N4 and cupric nitrate. Characterizations such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicate that the structure of g-C3N4 maintained although a popping process occurred. High resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HRTEM) characterization illustrated that copper-based nanoparticles with diameter of < 1 nm were well distributed on g-C3N4. This kind of copper catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity and selectivity in arylation of pyrazole, a simple and effect strategy to construct CN bond in organic chemistry. According to the results of control experiments and characterizations, cuprous oxide should be the catalytic active phase in the supported coper-based catalyst. Keywords: CN coupling, N-arylation, Carbon nitride, Catalysis, Copper-based catalyst