Green synthesis of Cu/zirconium silicate nanocomposite by using Rubia tinctorum leaf extract and its application in the preparation of N‐benzyl‐N‐arylcyanamides

Abstract

A simple and convenient protocol was established for the synthesis of the N‐benzyl‐N‐arylcyanamides through N‐benzylation of a wide variety of arylcyanamides using copper nanoparticles immobilized on natural zirconium silicate as a novel and green heterogeneous catalyst. In this study, we showed a novel, cost efficient, convenient and simple method for green synthesis of Cu/zirconium silicate nanocomposite by using Rubia tinctorum leaf extract as capping and reducing agent. The structure of the novel catalyst was successfully characterized using a number of micro/spectroscopic techniques such as XRD, FESEM, BET, EDS, TEM, FT‐IR and elemental mapping. TEM micrographs of obtaining biocatalyst revealed mostly spherical particles with an average diameter of about 15–25 nm on the surface of natural support. The prepared catalyst was used in the N‐benzylation of a variety of arylcyanamides with benzyl bromide and showed high activity and stability for the efficient synthesis of N‐benzylarylcyanamides in good yields. Remarkably, the catalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction medium and reused up to five runs without losing its catalytic activity.