Selective synthesis of Cu(2)O nanocrystals as shape-dependent catalysts for oxidative arylation of phenylacetylene.

Shape-dependent nanocatalysis: Monodisperse cubic, rhombic dodecahedral, and octadecahedral Cu(2) O nanocrystals (NCs) were selectively synthesized. Cu(2) O octadecahedra exhibited the best activity upon recycling, though etched on nanoframes, in the ligand-free oxidative arylation of phenylacetylene. Rhombic dodecahedra had moderate activity and optimal stability, whereas cubes suffered significant loss of activity during recycling.