Abstract: Nanoparticles of poly N-vinyl pyrrolidone stabilized cadmium oxide (CdO) are synthesized, size characterized (20±2 nm) and utilized as catalyst for the C-N and C-O cross coupling reactions of anilines and phenols with iodobenzenes. One pot ecofriendlier batch reactor type reaction conditions with lower reaction temperature are maintained. Efficiency of the catalysis on the C-N and C-O cross coupling reactions are followed from the reaction parameters such as product % yield, times of reaction and pseudo first order rate coefficient values. Kinetic studies shows that C-N cross coupling reactions are better catalyzed than the C-O reaction and –I substituents in anilines are better catalyzed than the +I substituted reactants and with similarly behaving iodobenzenes. The catalytic activity is an additional boon to the class of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdOnp) possessing unique optical and semi conductance applications.

 

Keywords: cadmium oxide nanoparticles; C-N; C-O couplings; pseudo first order reactions; kinetic studies.