In the present study, we investigate the synthesis and catalytic activity of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) stabilized onto a novel nitro functionalized polystyrene resin. The deposited nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques and TEM images, revealed uniformly distributed copper nanoparticles of sizes 3-9 nm. We effectively used the resin impregnated CuNPs for C-N coupling of various aromatic amines with aryl halides and for the oxidative C-C homocoupling of phenyacetylene. Further, recycling of the catalyst, leaching of metal ions and post reaction changes in the support were studied and it was concluded that the support acts as oxidant during the homocoupling of phenyl acetylene which is oxidative by nature. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.