Magnetically separable γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles: An efficient catalyst for acylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines using sonication energy under solvent free condition

• Simple and efficient protocol for synthesis of magnetic separable γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.
• γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles show excellent catalytic activity in acylation reaction at mild reaction conditions.
• First time used sonication energy for acylation reaction of phenols, alcohols, and amines at room temperature.
• The γ-Fe2O3 catalyst was recycled by applying strong magnet and reused up to fourth run.

This paper reports a facile synthesis of magnetically separable iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles using thermolysis method. The structural and morphological study of the synthesized γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission gun–scanning electron microscopy (FEG–SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The electron microscopy reveals that the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have spherical morphology with a particle size in the range of 40–100 nm. The XPS study confirmed the Fe is in +3 oxidation state. The synthesized γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the organic transformation between phenols, alcohols, and amines with acetic anhydride under sonication using mild reaction conditions. Various electrons withdrawing and electrons donating substrates show an excellent yield of desired products with the advantage of magnetic separation and reusability of γ-Fe2O3 nanocatalyst.

An efficient synthesis of magnetically separable iron oxide nanoparticles and their application as a recyclable catalyst for acylation of phenols, alcohols, and amines by sonication under solvent free condition at room temperature has been reported.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (153 K)Download as PowerPoint slide