Heterogeneous copper-based catalysts for nitrene insertions into C-H bonds

Copper species highly dispersed on suitable inert oxide supports catalyze the amidation of the alpha-C-H bond of cyclic ethers using a commercial, environmentally benign nitrene source such as chloramine T. The catalytic efficiency depends on the nature of the support and of the dispersed copper species. The heterogeneous catalysts apparently operate by liberating low amounts of highly catalytically active copper species into solution, the exact nature of which is yet to be determined. The heterogeneous catalysts are easily separable and recyclable, although the catalytic activity decreases upon recycling.