Graphene oxide decorated N-heterocyclic carbene–nickel complex with pendant caffeine for C–H arylation of benzoxazole

• Novel Catalyst : Synthesis of a graphene oxide decorated N-heterocyclic carbene nickel complex [GO Caff-NHC@Ni] ( 6 ). • Application : Effective for C H arylation of benzoxazole using arylboronic acids. • Comprehensive Characterization : Utilized advanced techniques such as TEM , XRD , SEM, FT-IR, TGA , BET, XPS , and EDX. • Reusability : Catalyst can be recovered and reused for up to six cycles without significant loss of activity. • Stability : Maintains structural and morphological integrity after six recycling cycles with no nickel leaching. • Green Chemistry : Environmentally-friendly attributes including high product yields, simple work-up, short reaction times, and use of a non-hazardous solvent. Graphene oxide supported N -heterocyclic carbene nickel complex GO Caff-NHC@Ni has been prepared by covalent binding of caffeine in the matrix of functionalized graphene oxide (GO) followed by complexation using Ni (II) acetate. [GO Caff-NHC@Ni] has been characterized by various analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. [GO Caff-NHC@Ni] exhibited notable efficiency as a heterogeneous catalyst in facilitating the C H arylation reaction between benzoxazole and aryl boronic acids. Remarkably, recycling experiments indicated that the complex consistently maintained its catalytic activity over multiple cycles, exhibiting its ability to be effectively utilized up to six times without a significant decline in its catalytic performance. Advantages: • Efficiency : High catalytic performance due to the innovative design integrating graphene oxide and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. • Sustainability : Offers a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, aligning with green chemistry principles. • Economic Viability : Reduces the need for frequent catalyst replacement, lowering costs. • Environmental Impact : Minimizes environmental impact through the use of non-hazardous solvents and robust catalyst design. • Versatility : Potential for application in various organic transformations, promoting greener and more sustainable chemical manufacturing. • Practicality : Short reaction times and simple work-up procedures enhance the practicality and efficiency of the methodology.