Encapsulation of copper(I)-Schiff base complex in NaY nanoporosity: An efficient and reusable catalyst in the synthesis of propargylamines via A3-coupling (aldehyde-amine-alkyne) reactions Original Research Article

Nanodimensional microreactor containing bis[2-(phenylthio)benzylidene]-1,2-ethylenediamine copper(I) complexes, [Cu(N2S2)]X-Y (X = CN, Cl, Br, I) was successfully prepared. This nano composite was used as a catalyst in one-pot multicomponent coupling reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes toward synthesis of propargylamines. The copper(I) complex with N2S2 donor Schiff base ligand was readily trapped in the nanocavity of zeolite-Y through a template synthetic (TS) method. Two consecutive processes in the liquid phase were carried out: (i) preparation of a solution of [Cu(MeCN)4]X coordinated with 2-(phenylthio)-benzaldehyde in the presence of zeolite-Y. This process caused the inclusion of [Cu(MeCN)2(S2O2)]X complex into the nanopores of zeolite Y via pre-adsorption method; (ii) template synthesis of the [Cu(MeCN)2(N2S2)]X-Y, through Schiff condensation between [Cu(MeCN)2(S2O2)]X and 1,2-ethylenediamine moiety into the nanopores of NaY. The resulting catalysts were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as AAS, FT-IR, BET isotherm, XRD, UV-Vis and TGA. The results confirmed encapsulation of Y-zeolite with copper(I) complex of N2S2 donor ligand. The catalytic activity of this nanocomposite material was investigated for preparation of propargylamines via three-component reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes. Also, the effective factors on this condensation reaction were discussed, such as reaction temperature, solvent, catalyst loading, leaching and reusability of the catalyst.