Au nanoparticle-immobilized l-cysteine-paired porous ionic copolymer as an efficient catalyst for additive-free oxidative coupling of alcohols and amines

Abstract Herein, an l -cysteine-paired ionic copolymer (DVB-[MimLcy] n ) with mesoporosity was prepared by free radical copolymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) and imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs), followed by anion-exchange with l -cysteine. Because of the rich functional groups of NH 2 , SH, and COO – and the porous framework, the DVB-[MimLcy] 3 was revealed to be an ideal stabilizer for metal nanoparticles (NPs). Highly uniform dispersed small Au NPs (2–3 nm) immobilized on DVB-[MimLcy] 3 (Au a /DVB-[MimLcy] 3 ) can act as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for additive-free synthesis of imines through coupling of a broad range of alcohols and organic amines and can be easily recovered and steadily reused several times.