The promoted synthesis of minoxidil by magnetic nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite(CoFe2O4) as a heterogeneous reusable catalyst

Abstract

Minoxidil (2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine 3-oxide) was primarily recognized as a drug for reducing vascular resistance to blood flow. It was later introduced as a more important medicine for topical stimulation of hair growth and baldness reverting as well as treatment of androgenic alopecia through increasing prostaglandin endoperoxide synthesis. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of spinel ferrites (MFe$_{2}$O$_{4}$, M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cu, and Zn) via solid-state grinding procedure were prepared and then characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The prepared nanoferrites were utilized as efficient and green heterogeneous catalysts for $N$-oxidation of 2,6-diamino-4-chloro-pyrimidine with H$_{2}$O$_{2\, }$in refluxing ethanol giving 2,6-diamino-4-chloro-pyrimidine $N$-oxide as a starting material for the synthesis of 2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine 3-oxide (minoxidil). Among the examined nanoferrites, CoFe$_{2}$O$_{4}$ MNPs exhibited prominent catalytic activity giving the product in 95% yield within 60 min. Moreover, the reusability of nano-CoFe$_{2}$O$_{4\, }$was examined for 6 consecutive cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity and magnetic property.