Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of Bi2S3 microspheres for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and chemoselective ring opening of epoxides

Abstract Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) prepared using l -cysteine, which served as both the sulfur source and the directing molecule for the formation of Bi2S3 as heterogeneous catalyst through solvothermal method. The prepared catalyst was examined by various techniques such as XRD, BET, FE-SEM, TEM, and TGA analysis. The results and analysis revealed that bismuth microspheres have better catalytic behavior for the preparation of biphenyl in water as a greenest solvent and for the ring opening of epoxides by nucleophiles including amines, alcohol, and thiol compared to pure Bi(NO3)3. 3H2O under solvent-free condition. Moreover, the novel catalyst could be recovered and reusedat least four times without loss of its catalytic activity.