An efficient nanocluster catalyst for Sonogashira reaction

• Published in: Journal of catalysis 2021-09, Vol.401, p.206-213
• Main Authors: Yang, Ying, Chen, Cheng, Xu, Guo-Yong, Yuan, Jinyun, Ye, Sun-Feng, Chen, Li, Lv, Qi-Long, Luo, Gen, Yang, Jinlong, Li, Man-Bo, Wu, Zhikun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activity and selectivity; Atomically precise nanoclusters; Incorporation; Recyclability; Sonogashira reaction
• ISSN: 0021-9517; 1090-2694
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2021.07.023

[Display omitted] •An efficient strategy to incorporate Cu2+ into nanoclusters was developed.•The incorporation induced enhancement in nanocluster catalysis was revealed.•The atomically precise composition/structure of the nano-catalyst was determined.•The Au13Cu2 catalyst outperforms the classic bicatalyst for Sonogashira reaction.•Mechanism of Au13Cu2 catalyzed-Sonogashira reaction was proposed. Pd together with CuI has been well known as the catalyst towards Sonogashira reaction, which provides an effective route to functional alkynes. However, the achievement of high activity and selectivity of this catalytic system is still challenging in some cases. Illustrative examples include their low activity for aryl chloride substrates, and switched selectivity to oxidative coupling products in air atmosphere. In this work, a Cu-incorporated Au13 nanocluster [Au13Cu2(PPh3)6(SC2H4Ph)6]+[NO3]- (Au13Cu2) was designed and prepared in high yield via rapid synthesis. This atomically precise nanocluster shows the potential to be a novel catalytic system for Sonogashira reaction, featuring high activity and selectivity, as well as good recyclability even in air atmosphere.