Popping of g-C_3N_4 mixed with cupric nitrate: Facile synthesis of Cu-based catalyst for construction of C-N bond

A novel strategy to synthesize copper-based nanoparticles supported on carbon nitride(C3 N4) was developed by popping of mixture containing C3 N4 and cupric nitrate. Characterizations such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) indicate that the structure of g-C3 N4 maintained although a popping process occurred. High resolution transmission electronic microscopy(HRTEM) characterization illustrated that copper-based nanoparticles with diameter of < 1 nm were well distributed on g-C3 N4. This kind of copper catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity and selectivity in arylation of pyrazole, a simple and effect strategy to construct C-N bond in organic chemistry.According to the results of control experiments and characterizations, cuprous oxide should be the catalytic active phase in the supported coperbased catalyst.