Magnetic nanoparticles grafted l-carnosine dipeptide: remarkable catalytic activity in water at room temperature

Abstract

Modification of magnetic nanoparticle surface with l-carnosine dipeptide was developed using a simple chemical process. In order to synthesize this catalyst system, first, magnetic nanoparticles were modified with vinyl groups using trimethoxy(vinyl)silane. Next, the vinyl groups were oxidized with H2O2 to give the epoxy-functionalized MNPs. Reaction of l-carnosine with epoxide rings via amino group resulted in the functionalization of MNPs surface with l-carnosine, covalently. To explore high catalytic activity of this material, l-carnosine grafted on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2@LCar; l-CarMNP) was used as a highly efficient heterogeneous nano-organocatalyst in a multicomponent reaction in aqueous medium at room temperature. It was reusable at least for eight times without a significant decrease in its catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of l-CarMNP was compared with other magnetic nano-organocatalyst, and results demonstrate that l-CarMNP has high catalytic activity related to others tested.