Modified MCM-41-supported acetonitrile ligated copper(II) and its catalytic activity in cyclopropanation of olefins

An acetonitrile ligated copper(II) complex has been successfully grafted on the surface of a modified mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41. The successful immobilization was evidenced by FTIR, elemental analysis, TEM, powder X-ray diffraction, 1H and 29Si CP/MAS NMR and GC–MS. Thermally, the grafted sample is moderately stable and has been applied as catalyst for the cyclopropanation of olefins at room temperature. The activity of the immobilized catalyst is somewhat lower than its homogeneous [Cu(NCCH3)6][B(C6F5)4]2 counterpart. However, the immobilized catalyst is found to be recyclable for several catalytic runs without significant loss of activity.