Microwave Assisted Fast Synthesis of CuO Nanoflakes: Catalytic Application in the Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridine

CuO nanoflakes were successfully synthesized by microwave irradiation, using copper(II) sulphate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the starting materials and ethanol as the solvent. The CuO nanoflakes were characterized by using techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. The synthesized CuO nanoflakes were found to have morphology like nanoflakes with narrow size distribution and high purity. Moreover, the synthesized CuO nanoflakes were used as an efficient catalyst for synthesis of a series of dihydropyridine derivatives. Optimization studies with different catalysts and solvents reveal that CuO nanoparticle in the water/ethanol mixture is efficient catalyst/solvent system for the synthesis of dihydropyridine derivative.