Catalytic Application of Biochar Functionalized Copper-l-histidine for the Chemo and Homoselective Conversion of Cyanides to Amides and Reduction of Nitroarenes to anilines

Abstract

In our study, we aimed to use olive pomace, food industry waste, as biomass to produce biochar nanoparticles. The surface of the biochar was functionalized with the l-histidine ligand, and then cupric acetate was added to prepare Cu-l-histidine@biochar as a final catalyst for the chemo- and homoselective synthesis of amide and aniline derivatives. To characterize the novel catalyst, we employed various techniques. Another notable feature of this catalyst is its reusability, which maintained significant efficiency even after multiple uses in reactions.