Reduced Graphene Oxide Decorated with Cu Nanoparticles as an Efficient Catalyst for Ullmann-Type N -Arylation Reactions

Ullmann-type aryl amination of aryl halides catalyzed by reduced graphene oxide decorated with copper nanoparticles was investigated. The reduced graphene oxide-supported copper nanoparticles were prepared via simultaneous electrodeposition of copper nanoparticles and reduction of graphene oxide by a facile cyclic voltammetry method in the absence of any reducing agent or volatile solvents. The proposed method is simple, general, ligand-free, and efficient to afford N-arylated compounds in high yield. The hot filtration test suggests the present reaction would proceed via heterogeneous nature. The catalyst showed high stability and could easily be recovered and reused without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity.