The present study aims a simple chemical synthesis of copper oxide nanosheets (CuO nanosheets) using quinic acid as stabilizing agent at room temperature and studied its catalytic activity in reducing 4-nitrophenol as well as antimicrobial activity towards bacteria. Synthesized CuO nanosheets were characterized by using FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. CuO nanosheets showed good catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, but poor antibacterial activity towards Gram negative and no activity against Gram positive bacteria. © 2015 Scientific Publishers.