Cu-SSZ-39 zeolite nanosheets-heterogeneous catalyst for the decarboxylative cross-coupling of cinnamic acids with ethers

Zeolite with nanoscale in some dimensions always display better catalytic performance because it contains more exposed catalytic active sites. Herein, a Cu²⁺ exchanged SSZ-39 zeolite with nanosheet morphology was chosen as a catalyst for the preparation of 2-vinyl heterocycle ethers through decarboxylative cross-coupling of cinnamic acids with ethers. The template reaction conditions were optimized, and the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. Then, a wide range of 2-vinyl heterocycle ethers were prepared. The recycling experiment demonstrated the good sustainability of the catalyst. The potential value of the catalytic product was demonstrated through the bifunctional addition and hydrogenation reduction.