Chromium containing Fe3O4/polyacrylonitrile–ethylenediamine as a magnetically recoverable catalyst for alcohol oxidation

• The synthesized nanocomposite has an excellent chemical stability.
• This polymer magnetic catalyst could be prepared by a cheap and simple method.
• The catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity/selectivity in the oxidation of alcohols.
• The catalyst has an excellent level of reusability.

A new chromium containing Fe3O4/polyacrylonitrile–ethylenediamine has been prepared through in situ polymerization of acrylonitrile onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. The polymer magnetic nanocomposite was utilized for the oxidation of a number of aromatic alcohols as a reusable catalyst. The corresponding aldehydes were obtained in high yields within short reaction time under mild conditions.