Fe3O4/SiO2/(CH2)3N+Me3Br3− core–shell nanoparticles: A novel catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of five- and six-membered heterocycles

•MNPs-(CH2)3N+Me3 tribromide, as a source of bromine, is synthesized.•MNPs-(CH2)3N+Me3 tribromide catalyzed efficient synthesis of heterocycles.•The catalyst was recovered and reused without significant loss in catalytic activity.

Functionalized magnetic core–shell nanoparticles [Fe3O4/SiO2/(CH2)3N+Me3Br3−] are prepared by co-precipitation method, characterized by transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The catalytic activity of these nanoparticles was tested in the syntheses of imidazole, benzothiazole, and perimidine derivatives, under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst was readily recycled by the use of an external magnetic field and could be reused five times without significant loss of activity or mass.

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