Copper(II) acetylacetonate anchored onto an activated carbon as a heterogeneous catalyst for the aziridination of styrene

Copper(II) acetylacetonate anchored onto a triamine functionalised activated carbon, [Cu(acac)2trien]@AC, was tested in the aziridination of styrene, using PhI = NTs as nitrogen source and acetonitrile as solvent, at room temperature. The styrene conversion and total TON of the heterogeneous phase reaction are similar to those relating the same reaction catalysed in homogeneous phase by [Cu(acac)2]; nevertheless, the initial activity decreases and reaction time increases due to substract and product diffusion limitations. The heterogeneous catalyst could be reused in further catalytic reactions for four times with successive increase in styrene conversion, initial activity and thus in the total turnover number (TON, better than in homogeneous phase reaction). No metal complex leaching was observed after the consecutive catalytic reactions.