Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Major Professor

Mark Trudell

Abstract

A reliable method for the encapsulation of copper nanoparticles in halloysite nanoscrolls has been developed. The nanocomposite was prepared using a green wet chemical synthetic method involving the reduction of copper nitrate trihydrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of trisodium citrate and halloysite. The new copper nanocomposite was employed in the copper catalyzed azide-alkyne “Click” cycloaddition reaction to afford 1,2,3-triazoles. The nanocomposite was found to be a highly efficient room temperature catalyst for the synthesis of a diverse array of triazoles in water within one to three hours. The nanocomposite has remarkable stability in water and can be easily recovered.

The catalytic activity of iridium nanoparticles encapsulated in halloysite nanoscrolls was investigated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines via reductive amination. The nanocomposite was prepared using a previously developed environmentally friendly wet chemical synthetic method, involving the reduction of iridium chloride trihydrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of trisodium citrate and halloysite. The nanocomposite proved to be an efficient green catalyst for the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with a variety of primary amines. A diverse array of secondary amines were synthesized in high yields using ambient conditions. The nanocomposite was used in catalytic amounts and demonstrated selectivity towards the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones, without generating undesirable by-products.

The catalytic activity of iridium nanoparticles immobilized in halloysite was investigated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines through N-alkylation via hydrogen borrowing. The catalyst was prepared using dimethylformamide to stabilize and reduce the iridium nanoparticles in the presence of halloysite. The nanocomposite proved to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines from primary amines and alcohols. A broad array of secondary amines were synthesized in good yields using neat and base free conditions in twenty-four hours. High yields were observed for aromatic and aliphatic alcohol substrates and the catalyst was selective towards the synthesis of secondary amines.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

Available for download on Sunday, April 18, 2027

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