Cu(II) Complex onto a Pyridine-Based Porous Organic Polymer as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Nitroarene Reduction

Unlike traditional catalysts, a Cu(II) catalyst incorporated onto a new pyridine based porous organic polymer linked by carboxamide functionality has been developed by impregnation method. Materials are characterized using FT-IR, solid-state NMR, PXRD, SEM, TEM techniques. The uniform confinement effect of the Cu(II) loaded polymer is assured by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental mapping, ICP and AAS spectroscopic analysis. The Cu(II) loaded material further employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for nitroarene reduction and reported as an excellent catalyst with improved performances over those reported using expensive and precious metals (like Au and Pd) on immobilized organic porous materials. The oxidation state of Cu in the catalytic cycle is corroborated with XPS analysis. The present study also emphasizes the role of pi-electron rich organic porous polymer as promoter of electronic stature of finely dispersed Cu sites accountable for the excellent catalytic activity towards nitroarene reduction.