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<p>Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are usually stabilized by a capping agent, a surfactant, or
a support material, to maintain their integrity. However, these strategies can impact their
intrinsic catalytic activity. Here, we demonstrate that the in-situ formation of copper NPs
(Cu0NPs) upon the reduction of the earth-abundant Jacquesdietrichite mineral with ammonia
borane (NH3BH3, AB) can provide an alternative solution for stability issues. During the
formation of Cu0NPs, hydrogen gas is released from AB, and utilized for the reduction of
nitroarenes to their corresponding anilines, at room temperature and under ambient pressure.
After the nitroarene-to-aniline conversion is completed, regeneration of the mineral occurs
upon the exposure of Cu0NPs to air. Thus, the hydrogenation reaction can be performed
multiple times without the loss of the Cu0NPs’ activity. As a proof-of-concept, the
hydrogenation of drug molecules “flutamide” and “nimesulide” was also performed and
isolated their corresponding amino-compounds in high selectivity and yield.
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Nanoscale Growth Initiation as a Pathway to Improve the Earth-Abundant Absorber Zinc Phosphide