[101why?]

I have one bottle of 50 mesh copper powder, 96%.(non-activated)

How can I get activated copper powder from that?

Any suggestions?

Thank you very much.

[Arkcon]

That really depends on the sense in which you mean "activated," you're using something like jargon, even if its scientifically apt.  A quick Google leads to this reference:  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo01333a050  So if you mean in that sense, highly reactive nano-szised copper particles, then you want to do it the way the reference says.

[101why?]

I intend to dimerize the 2,5-dibromonitrobenzene.

According to
http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S025676790800287X

Activated copper powder is needed.

Can I use the copper powder that I have or I need to synthesize the highly reactive nano-sized copper particles as this reference?

A quick Google leads to this reference:  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo01333a050  So if you mean in that sense, highly reactive nano-szised copper particles, then you want to do it the way the reference says.

Mod edit: Link modified due to copyright infringement. Dan

[Arkcon]

I 'm not sure, but maybe some of our organic chemistry experts can help you.  As another example, here's a reference for a Suzuki cross-coupling using activated copper powder: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/cm040142i?src=recsys&journalCode=cmatex

I don't know what "activation" means in these references, in the context of the reactions in question.  I assumed it wasn't possible to just grind up some copper powder.  But here's a reference where that is exactly the case: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10789-005-0029-9