In situ loading of Cu₂O nanoparticles on a hydroxyl group rich TiO₂ precursor as an excellent catalyst for the Ullmann reaction

An in situ method has been used to load Cu₂O nanoparticles on the surface of a hydroxyl group rich TiO₂ precursor. Cu₂O nanoparticles are formed by in situ reduction of Cu(OH)₂ with Sn²⁺ ions linked to the surface of the TiO₂ precursor. The initial Cu₂O nanoparticles serve as seeds for subsequent particle growth. The resulting Cu₂O nanoparticles are evenly dispersed on the surface of the TiO₂ precursor, and are heat and air stable. The as-prepared composite is an excellent catalyst for Ullmann type cross coupling reactions of aryl halides with phenol. The composite catalyst also showed good stability, remaining highly active after five consecutive runs.