Synthesis and characterization of a new Schiff-base complex of copper on magnetic MCM-41 nanoparticles as efficient and reusable nanocatalyst in the synthesis of tetrazoles

Abstract

In this work, first we synthesized 2,2′-((1Z,11Z)-2,5,8,11-tetraazadodeca-1,11-diene-1,12-diyl)bis(4-bromophenol) (TDBB) as a new Schiff-base ligand. Also, magnetic MCM-41 nanoparticles (MCM-41/Fe3O4) were synthesized by doping Fe3O4 into mesoporous MCM-41 channels. Then, MCM-41/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were modified by TDBB. Finally, a copper Schiff-base complex of TDBB (Cu-TDBB@MCM-41/Fe3O4 was synthesized by anchoring copper ions on the modified MCM-41/Fe3O4. The prepared nanocatalyst has been characterized by various techniques such as SEM, EDS, AAS, WDX, TGA, and XRD. Cu-TDBB@MCM-41/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were employed as an environmentally friendly, valuable, and reusable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles and all products were formed with good to excellent yields. In addition, Cu-TDBB@MCM-41/Fe3O4 nanocatalyst can be recovered and reused up to six times without considerably decreasing catalytic efficiency or metal leaching.