CoFe2O4 as green and efficient catalyst for synthesis of multisubstituted imidazoles

Abstract

CoFe2O4 is used as an efficient catalyst for reaction of benzoin, benzaldehydes, and ammonium acetate under mild and green conditions. This reaction is produced the corresponding 2,4,5-triarylimidazole lophine as the representative of multisubstituted imidazoles in high yields (99%), high purity (>98%) and short reaction time (10 min) in comparison to the previously reported approaches. The catalyst was separated easily by an external magnet. In addition, the recycled catalyst was reused several times without significant loss of catalytic properties.