Gold nanoparticles supported on NiO and CuO: The synergistic effect toward enhanced reduction of nitroarenes and A3-coupling reaction

Abstract

Bimetallic Au/NiO and Au/CuO catalysts have been developed through wet-chemical routes and the role of bimetallic effects on the reduction of nitroarenes and A3-coupling reaction have been investigated. Both bimetallic structures are ideal catalysts for aromatic nitro reduction reaction. However, using Au/NiO in A3-coupling reaction propargylamine products were selectively obtained, while diyne was obtained as the major product using Au/CuO. Both catalysts are more active than NiO and CuO in the mentioned reactions. The new bimetallic catalysts were characterized with different techniques such as XRD, Raman, SEM, HRTEM, SAED, EDX and BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption studies. These catalysts were recovered and reused in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol for about 20 times without losing catalytic activity.