Synthesis of nitroaldols through the Henry reaction using a copper(II)–Schiff base complex anchored on magnetite nanoparticles as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst

Abstract

A Cu(II)-Schiff base complex supported on functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs@Salen-Cu(II)) was obtained as a new heterogeneous nanocatalyst. The nanocomposite materials were characterized by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The catalyst was used in the Henry reaction in order to accomplish one-pot synthesis of nitroaldol derivatives in green conditions. This nanocatalyst can be easily separated from media of reaction using an external magnet and reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity. Furthermore, the non-toxicity of the catalysts and the high yield of the products are other advantages of this method.