Effect of solvent ratio and counter ions on the morphology of copper nanoparticles and their catalytic application in β-enaminone synthesis

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis of shape selective copper nanoparticles (NPs) using a microwave irradiation method, using diverse ratios of an ethylene glycol (EG)/water system. The solvent ratio of EG/water plays a pivotal role in the selective formation of CuO NPs. The alteration of the counter ion of the copper precursor leading to the selective synthesis of copper (CuO, Cu₂O, Cu(OH)₂) NPs has been observed. The synthesized copper NPs are well characterized using FEG-SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, NH₃-TPD and BET surface area. The prepared CuO NPs show high activity towards the synthesis of β-enaminones and β-enamino esters from 1,3 diketones and amines.