Hello, colleagues. I use copper catalysts to synthesize some organic compounds. After the reaction, column chromatography should be performed to isolate the product. I hate it. Is there another way to get rid of the remnants of the copper catalyst? Maybe extraction? Any ideas?
Go with celite filtration, and if the synthesized compound is polar, give washing with Methanol: Dichloromethane (1:9). Remnants of the copper catalyst will remain as residue.
If you have the ability to wash your product with an aqueous solution and your product is stable to basic pHs we have had very good success washing a toluene solution of our product from an organocuprate reaction with aqueous ammonia. Ammonia forms a complex with copper which turns the aqueous layer blue. We typically use 2 washes where the first one comes out blue and the second one is colorless. Our residual copper content is < 50 ppm at this point. This should be good for most any further reactions without the residual copper interfering.
If basic pHs are an issue, you can also use an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride for the same purpose. Remember that an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is acidic and may cause problems if your material is acid sensitive.
Let me know if you try this and how it works out.
Many thanks to everyone for good ideas and suggestions. I will use these suggestions. Thanks!