Open AccessSelective N-Alkylation of Amines with DMC over Biogenic Cu–Zr Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Ashutosh Sharma,
Khushboo Verma,
Sandeep Kaushal,
Rahul Badru
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs omega
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2470-1343
DOI - 10.1021/acsomega.1c01633
Subject(s) - bimetallic strip , dimethyl carbonate , catalysis , chemistry , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , nuclear chemistry , nanoparticle , zirconium , alkylation , selectivity , selected area diffraction , aqueous solution , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , transmission electron microscopy , materials science , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , engineering
Herein, we report the green synthesis of copper-zirconium bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu-Zr BNPs) from aqueous solutions using Azadirachta indica leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The CuO, ZrO 2 NP, and Cu-Zr BNP samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the morphologies of the samples were analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with selected area electron diffraction analysis (SAED). The synthesized Cu-Zr BNPs have been employed as efficient catalysts for the selective N -methylation of aromatic and aliphatic amines with dimethyl carbonate. The effect of process conditions on the percentage conversion of benzylamine with dimethyl carbonate as a model reaction has been investigated. The Cu-Zr bimetallic nanoparticle catalytic system in a 1:2 molar ratio was able to convert amines into the corresponding N -methylated amines with a selectivity up to 91% at 180 °C in 4 h. The analysis of catalytic reusability confirmed that the reported heterogeneous catalyst can be used for five consecutive cycles without much loss in activity. Thus, the current protocol can be considered as a simpler, reproducible, and environmentally benign approach for N -methylation of amines.