Atomically Precise Cun(n=3, 6 and 11) Nanocatalysts for Alkyne‐Haloalkane‐Amine (AHA) Coupling Reaction

Abstract Ultrafine nanoclusters with precise structure as catalysts are of particular interest due to high sites density, high metal atomic efficiency and potentially favorable metal‐support interactions. In this work, we used a simple wet impregnation method to fix three Cu n (n=3, 6, 11) nanoclusters (NCs) on activated carbon (AC). The structural characteristics of the three obtained Cu n (n=3, 6, 11)/AC catalysts were analyzed by FT‐IR, XRD, TEM and XPS. Cu n (n=3, 6, 11)/AC catalysts are used for exploring catalytic performance of alkyne‐haloalkane‐amine (AHA) coupling reaction. The results show that Cu n (n=3, 6, 11)/AC catalysts exhibited better catalytic activity for AHA coupling reaction than Cu salt and other non‐noble metal catalysts, with TON up to 715.4. This work provides a new way to understand the relationship between structure and catalytic performance of ultra‐small copper NCs.