Anthemis xylopoda flowers aqueous extract assisted in situ green synthesis of Cu nanoparticles supported on natural Natrolite zeolite for N-formylation of amines at room temperature under environmentally benign reaction conditions.

Zeolites, which are nontoxic, abundant, and cheap, are very promising supports for the design and preparation of new and environmentally benign catalysts. In this study, Cu nanoparticles (NPs) were immobilized on the surface of natural Natrolite zeolite by Anthemis xylopoda flowers aqueous extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Afterward, the catalytic performance of the prepared catalyst was investigated for N-formylation of amines at room temperature under environmentally benign reaction conditions. The catalyst could be reused at least 5 times without any decrease in activity. The advantages of the present protocol include the use of green catalyst, easy isolation of the products, reusability of catalyst, absence of nontoxic reagents, and excellent yield of the products.