Copper nanoparticle decorated organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT): An efficient catalyst for the N-arylation of indoles and similar heterocycles

•Cu nanoparticle decorated OMMT catalyzes the N-arylation of the NH-heterocycles.•The procedure is simple, general, ligand-free, and efficient.•The nanohybrid system shows considerably good stability.•High recoverability and reusability of the catalyst

A highly active ligand-free and efficient copper nanoparticle decorated OMMT catalyzed N-arylation of NH-heterocycles, i.e. indole, imidazole, benzimidazole, pyrrole, carbazole has been demonstrated.

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