Selective Synthesis of Cu2O Nanocrystals as Shape-Dependent Catalysts for Oxidative Arylation of Phenylacetylene

Graphical Shape-dependent nanocatalysis : Monodisperse cubic, rhombic dodecahedral, and octadecahedral Cu 2 O nanocrystals (NCs) were selectively synthesized. Cu 2 O octadecahedra exhibited the best activity upon recycling, though etched on nanoframes, in the ligand-free oxidative arylation of phenylacetylene. Rhombic dodecahedra had moderate activity and optimal stability, whereas cubes suffered significant loss of activity during recycling.