Copper chlorophyllin immobilized on ZrO2 nanoparticle as an effective and green catalyst in the one-pot thioetherification reaction

Abstract

The synthesis of organosulfur compounds gained specific interest in the interference of organic chemistry and chemical biology. Copper chlorophyllin (CC) is a bio-based copper complex that facilitates the synthesis of organosulfur compounds through the thioetherification reaction. The current paper deals with the immobilization of CC on the ZrO2 nanoparticles (CC@ZrO2) and its application in the one-pot thioetherification of alkyl and aryl halides using thiourea, an alternative to the bad-smelling thiols. After the characterization of CC@ZrO2 with different analytical techniques such as FT-IR, TGA, XPS, N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, ICP, and FESEM, the catalytic activity of the prepared CC@ZrO2 was evaluated in the synthesis of different types of thioether derivatives. Good to excellent yields, high reusability, and reproducibility made this cost-effective approach a benchmark in C–S cross-coupling reactions. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.