Eco-friendly Cyanation Strategies of Aryl Halides using Recyclable Nickel Nanocatalysts with Promising Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

Recyclable nickel nanoparticles have been utilized as an effficient, stable, heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of aryl nitriles using commercially available and less toxic K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O as an environmentally benign cyanide source. The reactions are not dependent on an inert atmosphere or a ligand. Several aryl chlorides, aryl bromides and aryl iodides survived well and were associated with high yield in the aforesaid method. The synthesized Ni-Al2O3 nanocatalysts could be recovered and recycled again without significantly reducing their efficacy. Moreover, “Sheldon’s test (hot filtration method)” was carried out to establish the heterogeneity of the catalyst. The significant benefits of this catalytic methodology align with green chemistry principles, making this process potentially applicable in industrial chemistry. The synthesized Ni-Al2O3 nanocatalysts exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, with maximum antioxidant activity (68.17%) found at 200 mg/ml concentration. Ni-Al2O3 nanocatalysts were found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) with zones of inhibition of 10±0.25mm and 12±0 respectively. MIC values against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 (Gram-positive) were 200 mg/mL and 205 mg/mL respectively, while MBC values were 220 and 230 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and Escherichia coli respectively. This study is provided to afford the dual applicability of the recyclable Ni-Al2O3 nanocatalyst for the green synthetic route of aryl nitriles and exhibiting potential antibacterial as well as antioxidant activity.