In situ prepared CuI nanoparticles on modified poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride): an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the azide-alkyne click reaction in water

A facile, high-yielding and straightforward methodology for the copper-catalyzed synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in water, using in situ prepared copper nanoparticles (NPs) on modified poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) [SMA] catalyst, is reported. The polymer support was easily prepared from the reaction of SMA with 4-aminopyridine and subsequently underwent reaction with CuI NPs. The catalyst was applied for the preparation of triazoles under air, followed by chromatographic separation of the products. The polymer-supported catalyst not only showed high catalytic activity but also showed high 1,4-regioselectivity for the [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition in water as solvent. The products were obtained in good to excellent yields in all cases. The catalyst can be used without pre-activation and reloaded for at least five runs without significant decrease in its activity. The catalyst was characterized by SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis of X-rays, and inductively coupled plasma.