Chitosan Decorated Copper Nanoparticles as Efficient Catalyst for One-Pot Multicomponent Green Synthesis of Novel Quinoline Derivatives

Chitosan decorated copper nanoparticles catalysts (CSCuNPs) were synthesized via reduction methods utilizing green protocol. The catalytic performance of CSCuNPs were tested for one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) using four reactant components: aromatic aldehydes, dimedone, ammonium acetate and ethylcyanoacetate under ultrasonic irradiation. The best catalyst (Cu-CS-NPs) that provided good conversion reaction yield and high turnover frequency (TOF) utilizing a facile and fast ultrasonic process was characterized using FTIR, TGA, XRD, TEM and XPS techniques. Generalization of the scope of the proposed catalytic process was studied using different aldehydes and excellent products yields and high TOF in even shorter reaction time (5 min.) was attained. Recyclability performance of the catalyst over five times re-use without detectable loss in product yield was recorded. The current method is green process utilizing environmentally benign catalyst and considered to be promising sustainable protocol for the synthesis of fine chemicals.