Au-Cu core-shell nanocube-catalyzed click reactions for efficient synthesis of diverse triazolesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7nr02466e

• Main Authors: Madasu, Mahesh, Hsia, Chi-Fu, Huang, Michael H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2017
• ISSN: 2040-3364; 2040-3372
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nr02466e

Au-Cu core-shell nanocubes and octahedra synthesized in aqueous solution were employed to catalyze a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between phenylacetylene and benzyl azide in water at 50 °C for 3 h. Interestingly, the nanocubes were far more efficient in catalyzing this reaction, giving 91% yield of a regioselective 1,4-triazole product, while octahedra only recorded 46% yield. The Au-Cu nanocubes were subsequently employed to catalyze the click reaction between benzyl azide and a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic alkynes. The product yields ranged from 78 to 99%. Clearly the Au-Cu cubes exposing {100} surfaces are an excellent and green catalyst for click reactions. Au-Cu core-shell nanocubes act as a highly efficient and green catalyst for the formation of a broad range of substituted 1,4-triazoles via click chemistry.