Unveiling the synergistic interplay between Cu and Ni with ZIF-8 nanomaterials: a catalyst for the synthesis of triazole derivatives in nanoscale chemistry

Abstract

In synthetic chemistry, cycloaddition is a valuable tool for creating heterocyclic rings, with numerous applications in a variety of fields. The objective of this research is to develop a NiCu/ZIF-8 catalyst to facilitate a three-component reaction known as the "click reaction," which is used to synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles. The catalyst was designed to catalyze 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions involving several azides and alkynes. The metals nickel and copper were immobilized on the surface of ZIF-8 to maximize the catalyst's performance. The catalyst was characterized using various analytical methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Remarkably, the catalyst demonstrated stability, maintaining its catalytic properties and efficiency after five recycling cycles. The advantages of this procedure are manifold, including high speed, mild conditions, reusability, high yield (75–95%), and affordability, which make it an attractive method for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.