Recyclable nano-CuI immobilized on UiO-66-NH2 coated with porous sodium alginate-polysulfonamide for synthesis of phenols

Buchwald-Hartwig reaction for phenol synthesis is an important tool in organic chemistry, offering a reliable and versatile method for constructing aryl ether linkages, which are prevalent in many natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. This research presented a recyclable environmentally-friendly catalyst for the synthesis of phenols from the reaction of aryl halides and sodium hydroxide. For this purpose, we synthesized porous functionalized sodium alginate based polymer (porous sodium alginate-polysulfonamide, SA-PS) immobilized on the surface of UiO-66-NH₂ (UiO-66-NH₂@SA-PS). Finally, copper iodide nanoparticles were then introduced, resulting in the formation of UiO-66-NH₂-supported porous sodium alginate-polysulfonamide-copper iodide nanocatalyst (UiO-66-NH₂@SA-PS/CuI). Successful functionalizations were confirmed through FT-IR and XRD analyses. FESEM images revealed spherical sodium alginate particles and TEM analysis indicated a core-shell structure. ICP data confirmed the anchoring of 0.67 mol% of copper iodide. The nanocatalyst UiO-66-NH₂@SA-PS/CuI demonstrated exceptional performance in Buchwald-Hartwig reaction, facilitating high product yields in the cross-coupling of various aryl halides, and sodium hydroxide under mild conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst displayed the ability to be reused up to six times without significantly reducing productivity, proving its environmental friendliness and sustainability in promoting the creation of CO bonds in organic synthesis. This versatile nanocatalyst holds promising for efficient and economically viable catalysis in diverse chemical applications.