Nanoscale copper particles derived from solvated Cu atoms in the activation of molecular oxygen

Nanostructured Cu powders ranging from 3 to 4 nm in diameter have been prepared by the clustering of acetone solvated Cu atoms obtained via metal vapor synthesis (MVS). The copper nanoparticles are valuable catalytic precursors for the oxidation with molecular oxygen of a wide range of organic substrates under mild conditions and are largely more efficient than commercial Cu samples.