Monodisperse CuPd alloy nanoparticles as efficient and reusable catalyst for the C (sp2)–H bond activation

Metal-catalyzed selective activation of C-H bonds is very important for the construction of a variety of biologically active molecules. Supported alloy nanoparticles are of great interest in various catalytic applications due to the synergistic effects between different metals. Here, well-dispersed CuPd alloy nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized and found to be highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for the chelation-assisted C (sp(2))-H bond activation. Aromatic ketones or esters were synthesized via the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction between 2-arylpyridines and alcohols or acids. Moreover, the catalyst was recovered and used for five times without significantly losing activity.