Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Propargylamines Using a Biomaterial Containing Copper Nanoparticles as Impressive and Reusable Nanocatalyst

Preparation and catalytic performance of nanosized copper particles supported on expanded corn starch (ECS) was investigated. The catalyst was characterized by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2-sorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The copper nanoparticles supported on expanded corn starch (CuNPs@ECS) were found to be a very efficient and durable catalyst for the preparation of propargylamines by three component reaction of secondary amines, aldehydes and alkynes. The catalyst can be successfully recycled and reused without significant loss of efficiency in 4 reaction runs. The procedure described here offers an easy and practical method accompanied by higher yields, and environmentally benign system.