The catalytic activities of Cu2O microcubes decorated with Au and Pd nanoparticles (Cu2O/Au and Cu2O/Pd) were synthesized by a microwave assisted technique and examined for the specific organic reactions, separately. Cu2O/Au and Cu2O/Pd catalysts were characterized and examined as the catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction in water, separately. The yields of products were >90% with a selectivity of >99% for both catalytic reactions. The cheap, ligand free, efficient, non-toxic, and water soluble properties make the present catalyst ultimate for Suzuki and aerobic oxidation reaction. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.