Title : Reusable clay Cu catalysts: Green routes to key organic transformations
Abstract:
The pursuit of environmentally sustainable chemical processes has placed green chemistry at the forefront of modern research within this framework, heterogeneous catalysis has emerged as a cornerstone for achieving efficiency, selectivity, and reusability in organic transformations. Among the diverse classes of heterogeneous catalysts, those derived from natural resources such as clays and zeolites have attracted considerable attention due to their abundance, low cost, and environmentally benign nature.
Clays are layered aluminosilicates with inherent acidic properties, enabling them to function as both Brønsted and Lewis acids. Their structural versatility allows modification through ion exchange or incorporation of transition metals, thereby enhancing catalytic activity. In our research, copper-supported clay (Cu–clay) catalysts have demonstrated remarkable potential as reusable systems for a wide range of organic reactions. The synergy between the clay matrix and copper ions provides a robust platform that combines high surface area, tunable acidity, and strong metal-support interactions.
Our studies reveal that Cu–clay catalysts exhibit excellent reactivity and selectivity in key organic transformations, including C–C coupling, oxidation, and reduction reactions. The catalysts are not only efficient but also recyclable, retaining activity over multiple cycles without significant loss of performance. This reusability addresses one of the central challenges in green chemistry—minimizing waste and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. Furthermore, the ease of preparation and scalability of these catalysts make them attractive for both laboratory-scale synthesis and industrial applications.
Mechanistic investigations provide insights into the role of copper species in facilitating electron transfer processes, while the clay support stabilizes active sites and prevents leaching. Characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, SEM, and BET surface analysis confirm the structural integrity and surface properties of the catalysts, reinforcing their suitability for sustainable applications.
