Catalytic properties of Au and Pd nanoparticles decorated on Cu 2O microcubes for aerobic benzyl alcohol oxidation and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions in water

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.apcata.2014.02.020

The catalytic activities of Cu₂O microcubes decorated with Au and Pd nanoparticles (Cu₂O/Au and Cu₂O/Pd) were synthesized by a microwave assisted technique and examined for the specific organic reactions, separately. Cu₂O/Au and Cu₂O/Pd catalysts were characterized and examined as the catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction in water, separately. The yields of products were >90% with a selectivity of >99% for both catalytic reactions. The cheap, ligand free, efficient, non-toxic, and water soluble properties make the present catalyst ultimate for Suzuki and aerobic oxidation reaction.