CuS Morphology Control for Enhanced Catalytic Performance in A³ Coupling Reaction

Sainan Cao, Yongqi Pan, Prof. Dr. Huangdi Feng, Prof. Dr. Jingxia Yang

https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202303144

Free Version: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/CWFC2468HAATIDRPMNXB?target=10.1002/slct.202303144

Abstract

A³ coupling reaction can be used to efficiently  synthesize propargylamine, which is an important bioactive molecule  intermediate, and copper sulfide (CuS) as its catalyst is rarely  reported. Herein, CuS with different morphologies including nanoflowers  (NFS), nanorods (NR), nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized and applied to  the A³ coupling reaction. The results show that CuS NP has  the highest catalytic activity (99 % conversion) compared to other CuS,  and also has good group compatibility and recyclability. Combining the  activity with the CuS surface structure checked by XPS, BET and HRTEM  etc., the excellent catalytic performance of CuS NP can be attributed to  its higher specific surface area ((S_BET=26.9 m²/g, S_Langmuir=144.2 m²/g), and higher Cu⁺/Cu⁰ (58.9 %), S_n²⁻ (16.7 %). The large specific surface area can provide more active sites, and higher Cu⁺/Cu⁰, S_n²⁻ content are conducive to promoting the activation of alkyne terminal C−H, which is an important step in the A³ coupling reaction.

Graphical Abstract

CuS with three different morphologies (nanoparticles-NP, nanorods-NR, nanoflakes-NFS) were used as catalysts for A³ coupling reaction, and CuS-NP exhibited the best behavior due to its higher specific surface area and higher Cu⁺/Cu⁰, which is benefit to promot the activation of alkyne terminal C−H.