Synthesis and Catalytic Applications of Ruthenium(0) Nanoparticles in Click Chemistry

Here we report a facile synthesis of ruthenium (Ru) Nanoparticles (NPs) by chemical co-precipitation method. The calcination of ruthenium hydroxide samples at $500^{\circ}C$ under hydrogen atmosphere lead to the formation of $Ru^0$ NPs. The size and aggregation of Ru NPs depends on the pH of the medium, and type of surfactant and its concentration. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope image (TEM) analyses of particles indicated the formation of $Ru^0$ NPs, and have 10 to 20 nm sizes. As-synthesized $Ru^0$ NPs are characterized and investigated their catalytic ability in click chemistry (azidealkyne cycloaddition reactions), showing good results in terms of reactivity. Interestingly, small structural differences in triazines influence the catalytic activity of $Ru^0$ nanocatalysts. Click chemistry has recently emerged to become one of the most powerful tools in drug discovery, chemical biology, proteomics, medical sciences and nanotechnology/nanomedicine. In addition, preliminary tests of recycling showed good results with neither loss of activity or significant precipitation.