Synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles on walnut shell for catalytic reduction and C-C coupling reaction.

Walnut shell-stabilized copper nanoparticles (CuNP/WS) were successfully prepared by a simple reaction of copper sulfate and Sodium borohydride. Formation of copper nanoparticles in this bio-nanocomposite was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX). CuNP/WS was found to be an efficient, inexpensive, easy to prepare, green and reusable catalyst in the reduction of aromatic nitro and nitrile compounds to their corresponding amines with NaBH4 at 35 °C in aqueous medium. We continued our studies on the application of this nanocomposite in the classic Ullman reaction to synthesize biaryl. This method has the advantages of high yields, elimination of expensive stabilizer and homogeneous catalysts, simple methodology and easy work up. The catalyst can be recovered from the reaction mixture and reused several times without any significant loss of catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]