Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds catalyzed by biogenic CuO nanoparticles

Synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using the peel of Musa balbisiana and its application in reduction of nitro aryl compounds are reported here. CuO nanoparticles were characterized by using XRD, XPS, PL, SEM and TEM techniques. In XRD analysis, significant peaks appeared at 18.3, 24.4, 33.6, 34.6, 35.2, 38.2 and 42.7 respectively. The BET surface area and total pore volume of CuO were found to be 7.479 m(2) g(-1) and 0.1259 m(3) g(-1), respectively. The generated CuO nanoparticles exhibited interplanar lattice fringe spacings of 0.16 nm. SEM images indicate the formation of flower-like CuO architecture. The hierarchical CuO architecture is found to be made up of nanosheets which were self assembled to form flower-like nanostructures. The synthesized CuO nanoparticles show efficient catalytic activity in reduction of nitro aryl compounds to corresponding amino compounds with a high yield of conversion (74-96%). The reaction was carried out in a green solvent i.e. water. The catalyst was found to be active for several runs. It was further confirmed by several pieces of experimental evidence.