Copper immobilized on glycine-functionalized poly(vinyl chlolide): low cost, highly active, recyclable catalyst at part-per million level for CuAAC reaction in water

A novel Cu catalyst immobilized on glycine-functionalized poly(vinyl chloride) (Cu@Gly-PVC) was synthesized conveniently. The as-prepared catalyst was fully characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDS, elemental mapping, XPS, TGA, ICP, and EA analysis. The Cu(II) ions were uniformly distributed on the as-prepared Gly-PVC matrix via coordinated by carboxylic groups in a bidentate bridging pattern. This catalyst can be used at ppm levels in water for alkyne–azide cycloadditions (CuAAC) reactions, producing high yields of 1,2,3-triazoles. The present methodology offers several merits such as low catalyst loading, high catalytic activity, excellent yields, short reaction times, environmentally friendly reactions, simple operations, and compatibility of wide range of substrates. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily isolated from the reaction mixture through simple filtration and retains remarkable reusability and catalytic activity even after four consecutive reaction cycles.

Graphical abstract