Catalytic properties of Au and Pd nanoparticles decorated on Cu2O microcubes for aerobic benzyl alcohol oxidation and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in water

The catalytic activities of Cu2O microcubes decorated with Au and Pd nanoparticles (Cu2O/Au and Cu2O/Pd) were synthesized by a microwave assisted technique and examined for the specific organic reactions, separately. Cu2O/Au and Cu2O/Pd catalysts were characterized and examined as the catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction in water, separately. The yields of products were >90% with a selectivity of >99% for both catalytic reactions. The cheap, ligand free, efficient, non-toxic, and water soluble properties make the present catalyst ultimate for Suzuki and aerobic oxidation reaction.