Recyclable Hydrotalcite-Supported Copper Catalysts for Green and Regioselective Click Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazoles

This work reports a sustainable and highly efficient catalytic system based on cuprous oxide nanoparticles supported on hydrotalcite (Cu ₂ O@LDH-01) for the regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) in aqueous media. The catalyst was comprehensively characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, TGA, and STEM-EDX analyses, confirming the successful incorporation and uniform dispersion of the Cu-(I) species within the layered double hydroxide structure. Under mild and additive-free conditions, Cu ₂ O@LDH-01 afforded quantitative conversions in water within only 5 min under ultrasound irradiation, emphasizing the crucial role of acoustic cavitation in enhancing mass transfer and catalytic performance. The system exhibited regioselectivity across a broad range of alkynes and azides, with both electronic and steric factors governing reactivity. Furthermore, the catalyst could be readily recovered and reused over five consecutive cycles without a noticeable loss of activity, demonstrating its robustness and practical applicability. Overall, this study highlights hydrotalcite-supported Cu-(I) catalysts as a green, recyclable, and scalable platform for click chemistry, in full alignment with the principles of sustainable synthesis and waste minimization.