L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO Chiral Retrievable Catalyst: Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Catalytic Performance in Diastereoselective Synthesis of Furocoumarin Natural Products

INTRODUCTION
Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which are a unique fellow of carbon nanomaterials [1] have been revealed splendid attributes such as excellent biocompatibility [2], emission, low cytotoxicity [3], extremely soluble in various solvents [4], and photoluminescence (PL) [5]. Due to high specific surface area and functional groups rich surface (–OH, -CO2H, etc.), GQDs are capable of strong interaction with nanocomposites and also, GQDs carry various chiral small-molecules as chemical catalysts [6, 7]. Therefore GQDs are referred to as remarkable “linkers” in metal-organic framework catalysts (MOFs) [8]. Heteroatom doping such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atom gives rise to the unique chemical properties of GQDs, such as low toxicity, strong absorption, excellent solubility, good biocompatibility, and catalysts. Besides, Nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs) is a great electron transfer carrier. Also, N-GQDs provide more active sites, leading to their more effective and applied application for catalytic performance [9, 10]. Nano-size zinc oxide (ZnO) affords some benefits, for instance, low price, high surface area, eco-friendly, and high electron mobility [11]. Nowadays, various approaches have been developed to the fabrication of new ZnO-based nanostructures concerning catalytic activities [12]. Among them, ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites attracted much attention from investigators because of their different applications such as catalyst in organic synthesis, solar cell, and photocatalyst [13, 14]. However, the fabrication of N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites has rarely been investigated as nanocatalysts in organic reactions [15]. Thus, we intend to develop the N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites via a simple route entailing one-pot fabrication of ZnO/CuO nanorod and then hydrothermal treatment to get the final nanocatalyst. 
Pristine L-proline has been accredited as a significant chiral small-molecule organocatalyst [16]. Due to its easy availability [17], ecological and accessible in two enantiomeric forms [18], it has been paid much attention in the preparation of organic compounds as a catalyst via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) [19, 20]. However, L-proline-meditated gives poor stereoselectivity, long-term completion process, and difficult reusability in asymmetric reactions [21]. Using some strategies such as the addition of additives [22], co-catalysts [23], various types of support like polymers [24], silica [25], ionic liquid (IL) [26], and MOFs [27] could also help to resolve these restrictions. For example, Kaskel [28], Bae [29], and Zou [30] used L-proline as a functionalized and supporting catalyst in asymmetric Michael addition, asymmetric aldolization, and diastereoselective aldol reactions, respectively.  In general, many research papers have been published since the last decade on the role of L-proline as a chiral catalyst [25].
Furocoumarins, which belong to an extraordinary category of heterocyclic compounds, present in countless natural products [31]. Additionally, they have a wide spectrum of biological properties, for instance, antifungal [32], anticancer [33], antibacterial, vasorelaxant [34], inhibition of human CYP 1B1 isoform [35], and HIV-1 integrase inhibitors [36]. Many methods for the synthesis of furocoumarins have been expanded in recent years owing to their ecological and medicinal importance [37]. Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are one of the powerful strategies for the preparation of furocoumarins in the presence of various catalysts, for example, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DAMP) [38], a combination of AcOH/AcONH4 [39], ionic liquid [BMIm]OH [40], Pd(CF3CO2)2 [41], I2/K2S2O8 [42], N-methylimidazolium and triethylamine [43]. A number of these procedures have particular disadvantages such as prolong completion time, usage of toxic materials, non-reusable catalysts, and special usage conditions.
Herein, we set a facile one-pot reaction of 4-bromophenacyl bromide, various aryl aldehydes, and 4-hydroxycoumarin to afford furocoumarins using L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites (Fig. 1). Taken together, we disclose our comprehensive research of the stereochemistry, mechanism of the reaction, and chiral organometallic catalyst interaction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Apparatus and materials
All melting points were determined by an Electro-Thermal 9200 and are uncorrected. FT-IR spectra of all compounds were recorded on Nicolet Magna 550 IR spectrometer using KBr pellets in the range of 400–4000 cm-1. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were measured by a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer at 400 and 100 MHz, respectively. TMS as an internal reference and were carried out using CDCl3 as an NMR spectroscopy solvent. XRD pattern was performed on a Philips diffractometer using monochromatized Cu Kα radiation (k = 1.5406 Å). Elemental analyses (C, H, and N) were recorded using a Carlo ERBA analyzer (model EA1108). FE-SEM images of products were imagined by an LEO instrument (model 1455VP). The morphology and size distribution of N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites were taken by High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM, FEI Tecnai F20). The entire experiments in this research were purchased in analytical grade from Merck and Sigma-Aldrich without extra purification.

Fabrication of ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocom-posites.
Copper (II) acetate (0.6 g) and zinc (II) acetate (0.66 g) were dissolved separately in ultrapure water (20 ml) at room temperature. Next, the zinc solution was added drop by drop to the copper solution. Then, NaOH (1 g) was dissolved in ultrapure water (10 ml), later was added to the above mixture with stirring. The mixture was stirred for 15 min at room temperature and then, put into a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave under various hydrothermal conditions (Table 1). The black sediment was firstly centrifuged and followed by washing with distilled water several times. The obtained precipitate was dried at 65 °C and calcined at 500 °C for 2 h.
Cu(CH3CO2)2 + Zn(CH3CO2)2 + 4 NaOH → ZnO/CuO + 4 NaCH3CO2 + 4 H2O

Fabrication of N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites.
Ethylenediamine (0.5 ml), citric acid (1.2 g), and ultrapure water (50 ml), initially, were stirred for 2 min at room temperature. Next, ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites (1 g) were added to the above solution and stirred for another 2 min. Then the mixture was put into a 100 ml Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. The sealed autoclave was placed on an electric oven under 180°C for 10 h. N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites were collected by centrifugation at 10000 rpm for 15 min. The dark brown precipitate was dried at 60°C for 24 h under vacuum conditions.

Fabrication L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites.
N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites (1 g) and L-proline (1.6 g) were dissolved in 15 ml dry toluene and stirred, followed by heating at reflux conditions for an appropriate time. Then, the obtained solid was centrifuged and washed with absolute ethanol three times. The purified precipitate was finally dried overnight at 40°C.

General method for the preparation of furo[3,2,c]coumarins.
To a mixture of pyridine (1.0 mmol) and 4-bromophenacyl bromide (1.0 mmol) in ethanol, was added proper aryl aldehyde (1.0 mmol), 4-hydroxycoumarin (1.0 mmol), L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites as a chiral retrievable nanocatalyst, and stirred under reflux conditions. The completion of the reaction was determined by TLC analysis. After the end of the reaction, the crude mixture was filtered and washed by cold EtOH.

Physical and spectroscopic data of new and selected products.
2.6.1. trans-2-(4’-bromo-benzoyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4(3H)-one (5b): White powder, m.p 251-253 ºC, IR (KBr) cm-1: 2919, 2841, 1724, 1644, 1456,1407, 1029, 754, 574; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ (ppm) 5.13 (CH, 1H, J= 5.2 Hz), 6.05 (CH, 1H, J= 5.2 Hz), 7.27-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.30 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.41- 7.44 (m, 1H), 7.45 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H)  7.91- 8.11 (m, 4H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) 47.98, 92.01, 103.97, 112.04, 116.97, 122.97, 123.95, 125.01, 127.99, 130.34, 131.02, 132.04, 133.03, 133.65, 145.96, 148.02, 156.10, 160.04, 165.98, 191.01; Anal. calcd for C24H14BrNO6: C, 58.56; H, 2.87; N, 2.85; Found: C, 58.49; H, 2.78; N, 2.82; [α]22D = +17.49 (c 0.13, CHCl3).
trans-2-(4’-bromo-benzoyl)-3-(2-fluorophenyl)-2H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4(3H)-one (5f): White powder, m.p 187-188º C, IR (KBr) cm-1: 3065, 2977, 1713, 1647, 1492, 1408, 1049, 766, 501; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) 5.17 (CH, 1H, J = 5.2 Hz), 6.13 (CH, 1H, J = 5.2 Hz), 7.10 (d, 3JFH= 8.8Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.52 (m, 5H), 7.48-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.51 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.97-8.01 (m, 2H);  13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) 47.97, 91.96, 104.99, 114.42, 116.94, 123.14, 123.25, 123.36, 123.39, 124.17, 124.29, 129.43, 130.07, 130.56, 130.90, 130.98, 132.47, 132.79, 133.19, 162.22 (d, F-C, 1J=118.8 Hz, 1C), 162.37, 190.95; Anal. calcd for C24H14BrFO4: C, 61.96; H, 3.03; Found: C, 61.81; H, 2.90; [α]22D = +48.02 (c 0.3, CHCl3).
trans-2-(4’-bromo-benzoyl)-3-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4(3H)-one (5g): White powder, m.p 205-207 ºC, IR (KBr) cm-1: 2926, 2840, 1727, 1641, 1494, 1025, 757, 540; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) 2.66 (s, CH3, 3H), 4.77 (CH, 1H, d, J= 4.8 Hz), 6.07 (CH, 1H, d, J= 4.8 Hz), 7.16-7.27 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.87 (m, 7H);  13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ (ppm) 14.98, 49.12, 91.97, 105.12, 111.97, 116.91, 121.03, 121.94, 125.08, 126.18, 126.97, 127.94, 129.14, 131.89, 132.89, 135.24, 140.14, 156.41, 160.16, 167.18, 191.04. Anal. calcd for C25H17BrO4S: C, 60.86; H, 3.47; Found: C, 60.73; H, 3.55; [α]22D = +41.20 (c 0.5, CHCl3).

Recycling of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites
To recycle catalyst, the obtained solid was dissolved in CHCl3 (nanocatalyst was not dissolved in CHCl3). Subsequently, it could be collected by centrifuge at a speed of 12000 rpm for 6 min and dried at 65° C for 8h.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Structural characterization of nanocatalyst
The hydrothermal method has been widely applied by most investigators due to its cheap, eco-friendly, and low-cost pathway. [44]. Also, this procedure allows for controlling the size and morphology of the nanostructures by using various reaction conditions [45].   Fig. 2 demonstrates the successful synthesis of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites during the hydrothermal route step by step.
FT-IR measurement (Fig. 3) was conducted to recognize more evidence for the surface functional groups of catalysts at each step. The peaks at 770 cm-1 and 580 cm-1 correspond to the vibrational absorption of Cu-O and Zn-O, respectively (Fig. 3a). Fig. 3b shows the attendance of O-H (strong and broadened at 3410 cm-1), C=O (1655 cm-1), C=C aromatic (1551-1450 cm-1), and C-N (1217 cm-1), which confirm that N-GQDs has covered the core of the nanocomposites. From Fig. 3c, it is obvious that new bands at 1042 cm-1, 1265 cm-1, 1626 cm-1, 2931 cm-1, and 3419 cm-1 are related to the stretching C-N, C-O, C=O, C-H (sp3), and OH groups, respectively.
Fig. 4 reveals the XRD graph of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites. The diffraction angles (2Theta) for CuO are 36.61˚, 39.15˚, 49.22˚, and 58.5˚ and also the diffraction angles (2Theta) for ZnO include 32.05˚, 34.72˚, 36.54˚, 47.33˚, 56.87˚, 61.83˚, 63.45˚, 66.23˚, 68.18˚, 73.13˚, and 75.48˚, which corresponds to standard CuO and ZnO XRD patterns (JCPDS card No. 80-1268 and 80-0075, respectively). Miller indices for ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites are attached in Fig. 4a. The as-prepared nanocomposites have only two crystalline phases related to ZnO and CuO. Also, sharp peaks describe their high crystallinity. Crystallite sizes were calculated from Scherrer equation (Dc= Kλ/(βCosθ)), K is a dimensionless shape factor, which ordinarily takes a value of approximately 0.9, λ also is the X-ray wavelength (0.156 nm for CuKα radiation) and where β is the line broadening at half the maximum intensity (FWHM), was about 32 nm for ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites. Besides, it can be seen that a broad peak in the 2θ = 22˚corresponding to (002) plane confirms the formation of a very tiny carbogenic core in N-GQDs [46]. The peaks obtained at 2θ = 44.1˚, 52.9˚, and 74.3˚ relating to (400), (422), and (440) planes, respectively, shows that the crystalline structure of the L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite is formed (Fig. 4b) [47].
EDS spectroscopy was applied for the inquiry purity of ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites (Fig. 5). The results of EDS analysis confirmed the existence of oxygen (51.61 w/w %), copper (35.55 w/w %), and zinc (13.04 w/w %) atoms in the structure (Fig. 5a). Furthermore, the presence of L-proline on the surface of N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was proved with the appearance of C (40.47%) and N (21.10%) in the EDX spectrum (Fig. 5b).
GQDs are few-atoms-thick graphenes and their sizes are less than 30 nm [48]. AFM image demonstrates the topographic height of N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites (Fig. 6). From the AFM image and its profile, the height of the proposed catalyst was lower than 19 nm.
The thermal stability of the catalyst is one of the most important factors in the recovery and reuse of catalyst [49]. For the investigation of the thermal stability, TG analysis was applied on a Mettler TG50 analyzer under continuous N2 flow at a heating rate of 10 °C.min-1 in the range 30-800 °C. Thermal analysis of as-fabricated L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites was presented in Fig. 7. A 4% diminish in weight between 50 and 100°C is due to losing surface hydroxyl groups or solvent retained on the outside of the surface. A 48% decline in weight between 100 and 550°C is due to losing absorbed solvent molecules trapped in the N-GQDs layer and decomposition products of the L-proline functionalization. 
Temperature, reaction time, and mole ratio are effective on the morphology and particle size [50]. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was utilized to investigate the ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposite surface morphology. Fig. 8 demonstrates FE-SEM images of the as-fabricated ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposites obtained in a 1:1 ratio (Cu2+:Zn2+), at 12 h, and various temperature. It shows ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanostructures with an average diameter size of less than 60 nm were prepared at 180°C (Fig. 8c). FE-SEM images reveal the coral-like and sphere-shaped morphology of ZnO/CuO (1:1) at 120°C and 150°C, respectively (Fig. 8, (a and b)).
From Fig. 9a and 9b become clear that morphology changed to nanorods/nanocluster (Cu2+: Zn2+ = 1: 2), and nanocluster (Cu2+: Zn2+ = 2: 1) at 180°C and 12 h, respectively. According to the previous FE-SEM images, it was found that the optimized conditions were 180 °C in a 1:1 ratio (Cu2+:Zn2+) (Fig. 9c).
The effect of time on morphological change was shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10a and 10b display the various type of ZnO/CuO nanocomposites (nanosphere and nanorods/nanosphere) in 10 and 14 hours, respectively. From Fig. 10c, the optimized reaction time is found to be 12 h. FE-SEM images of as-prepared L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites were presented in Fig. 11.
Furthermore, for better estimation of the morphology and size of nanocomposites were presented by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images. TEM (Fig.12 a) and HRTEM images (Fig. 12 (b-d)) indicated that the as-prepared nanocomposites were crystalline with a lattice spacing of 0.23, 0.26, and 0.16 nm which correspond to the (111) CuO (JCPDS file NO. 80-1268), (002) ZnO (JCPDS file NO. 80-0075) and (002) planes of graphitic carbon (JCPDS file no. 01-0646), respectively.

Catalytic study of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite as a chiral retrievable catalyst in the diastereoselective synthesis of furocoumarins natural products
It is noteworthy to mention that designing the appropriate conditions (e.g. modified chiral catalyst, temperature, etc.) could be effective in advancing the reaction and stereochemistry [51]. Hence, we start our job with the reaction between various aryl aldehyde (1), 4-hydroxycoumarin (2), pyridine (3), phenacyl bromide (4) (in a molar ratio), and a sufficient amount of chiral nanocatalyst via MCRs at reflux conditions for an appropriate time. Several reactions were tested using different solvents (e.g. water, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, and ethanol). Ethanol is a green solvent and the reaction gave satisfying results when ethanol was used as a solvent (see Table 2). 
During our investigation, we observed that the yield was lower than 5% in the absence of a catalyst. Also, results proved these catalysts were not suitable for stereoselectivity and the yield of the reaction was moderate (Table 2, entries 1-11). In contrast, when the reaction was carried out in attendance of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocatalyst surprisingly good yield was achieved in less time (Table 2, entries 12-15). Moreover, the synthesis of furocoumarins was hitherto carried out in the presence of diverse catalysts. From Table 2 (entries 15-17), when 0.01, 0.013, and 0.015 g of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites were tested, the yield was 88, 96, and 96%, respectively. Consequently, 0.013 g of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites were suitable, and an excessive amount of catalyst did not alter the yields. Furocoumarins have been hitherto prepared in presence of various catalysts. Some of them are listed in Table 3.
As shown in Table 2, a comparative study was performed between synthesized L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposite and previously reported catalysts for the synthesis of furocoumarins. The use of L-proline (as catalyst active site) can have an outstanding effective impact on diastereoisomer formation, reaction time, energy usage, and green solvent usage. Consequently, studied of results published and comparison with our catalyst, it can be said that L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO as a chiral retrievable metal-organocatalyst play the main role in diastereoselectivity of reaction. According to this one-pot protocol, various furocoumarins were synthesized. Inspired by furocoumarins stereochemistry and using the optimized reaction conditions, we investigated the preparation of a category of furo[3,2-c]coumarins base on stereoisomer formation in one-pot domino reactions using various aromatic aldehydes (Table 4). 
From a comparison of various aryl aldehydes with electron-withdrawing groups and electron-releasing groups, it appeared that aromatic aldehydes with electron-withdrawing groups reacted quickly. To improve our comprehensive of stereoselectivity, we have proposed a plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of furo[3,2-c]coumarins in attendance of ZnO/CuO@N-GQDs@L-proline heterojunction nanoco-mposites which is shown in Fig. 13. 
In this instance, pyridine (3) and phenacyl bromide (4) (in a 1:1 mole ratio) were firstly mixed for 1 min to form the (cyanomethyl) pyridinium bromide salt through an SN2 reaction. Afterward, aryl aldehyde (1), 4-hydroxycoumarin (2), and chiral nanocatalyst were added to the above mixture and heated at reflux conditions for an appropriate time. In the presence of chiral organometallic nanocatalyst, the reaction starts via Knoevenagel condensation between aromatic aldehyde and 4-hydroxycoumarin to form intermediate (I). In this part, presumably modified L-proline plays two roles: (i) basic catalytic role (shown in blue) to abstract the proton from 4- hydroxycoumarin 2 and a proton from the 1-(4-bromophenyl)-2-pyridinium 5 (ii) electrostatic interaction role (shown in red) to activation of carbonyl of aryl aldehyde 1. Next, the Michael addition of the in situ prepared pyridinium ylide to intermediate (I) affords the intermediate (II). According to the previously reported 41, despite the existence of three nucleophilic centers for the continuation of the reaction, it is done only by removing the pyridinium group (path shown). The main point in the stereochemistry of products is that the diastereoselectivity of reaction is influenced by the interaction of intermediate (II) with the chiral catalyst in transition states A and B.
As illustrated in Fig. 13, there is only gauche interaction between pyridinium (leaving group) and aromatic aldehyde which is followed by a nucleophilic enolate attack from the backside of the electrophilic carbon atom bearing the pyridinium group. Therefore, the major product obtained is trans [52]. Cis-product is a miner isomer due to two severe steric repulsions which can be observed in transition state B and in itself. The structure of isolated trans-2-benzoyl-3-(aryl)-2H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4(3H)-ones were completely identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data, FT-IR spectra data, and CHNS analysis. For instance, in the 1H NMR spectrum of 5b, two protons at 2 and 3 positions of dihydrofuran appeared as two doublets signal at 5.13 and 6.05 ppm with the vicinal coupling constant J = 5.6 Hz. A similar signal in the 1H NMR spectrum was also observed at 5.30 and 5.94 ppm with the vicinal coupling constant J = 8 Hz (Fig. 14). It is found that the vicinal coupling constant of two methine protons in trans isomer in 5-membered rings appeared with J = 4-7 Hz, whereas, in the case of cis-isomer this coupling constant appeared with J = 7-10 Hz [44, 53, 54]. The structure of stereochemistry was confirmed by X-ray analysis which was accomplished on 5f and showed that the two protons at 2 and 3 positions of dihydrofuran existed in the trans orientation (Fig. 15). By comparing the previous reports [39-44], in this method, the L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanocomposite was used as a chiral retrievable catalyst in the diastereoselective synthesis of furo[3,2-c]coumarins via one-pot multicomponent reactions to improve diastereoselectivity efficiency. As a result cis-isomer of furocoumarin, which has not been reported previously, was characterized in this research by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Also, trans-isomer was determined by X-ray single crystallography, as well as the stereoselective synthesis of furo[3,2-c]coumarins in presence of chiral nanocatalyst, the products were prepared with high purity of cis-isomer.

Reusability of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites
Retrievability is one of the most outstanding issues among heterogeneous catalysts. The retrievability and reusability of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites are inspected after seven runs (model reaction, in optimized conditions). Upon completion of the reaction, separated nanocatalyst, washed with ethanol and deionized water at least 3 times, was left to dry and utilized with new substrates once more without excess purification. The results in Table 4 reveal the catalytic activity of nanocatalyst does not decline remarkably. According to the XRD graph (Fig. 16), the crystalline structure of reused catalyst was well preserved.

CONCLUSION
In this research, a straightforward procedure is proposed to form the L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites. ZnO/CuO heterojunction nanostructure is directly generated using a highly controllable hydrothermal route. Especially, we investigated various techniques to analyze the catalytic execution of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanostructures and found that the L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocomposites as a chiral retrievable catalyst had a considerable impact on the catalytic performance improvement. Also, we have described a diastereoselective Michael addition and intramolecular cyclization for the synthesis of trans furo[3,2-c]coumarins in the attendance of L-proline-linked N-GQDs/ZnO/CuO nanocatalyst. A proposed mechanism was suggested based on steric hindrance in the transition state. Briefly, this procedure allows the preparation of stereoisomers from the accessible precursors in an easy operation with excellent yields under environment-friendly conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to the University of Kashan for supporting this work.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript.