Lanthanum loaded CuO nanoparticles: synthesis and characterization of a recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and propargylamines

Lanthanum loaded CuO (LCO) nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a precipitation–thermal decomposition method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectra (EDS), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and BET surface area measurements. The synthesized LCO NPs were used as a nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles by a click reaction of substituted benzyl azides and alkynes and the synthesis of propargylamines via three-component coupling reactions of aldehydes, alkynes and amines under ultrasonication. The one-pot operation, atom-economical nature, regioselectivity and good yields are the noteworthy features of this protocol. The reusability of the prepared nanocatalyst was successfully examined six times without any appreciable loss in catalytic activity.