The remarkable catalytic activity of ultra-small free-CeO2 nanoparticles in selective carbon–carbon bond formation reactions in water at room temperature†
Abstract
A simple and efficient protocol for selective bis-Michael addition and mono-allylation of active methylene compounds has been demonstrated using ultra-small (size ∼5 nm) uncapped cerium oxide nanoparticles (free-CeO2 NPs) as a reusable catalyst in water at room temperature. The free-CeO2 NPs were characterized by powder XRD, TEM and XPS studies. Free-CeO2 NPs efficiently catalyzed both the reactions and produced good to excellent yields of products.