Efficient synthesis of 2-oxazolidinone from epoxides and carbamates with binary MgFe oxides as a magnetic solid base catalyst

Magnetic binary MgFe oxides were prepared by co-precipitation method, characterized and tested in the synthesis of 2-oxazolidinones from epoxides and carbamates. The catalytic results showed that the catalyst with Mg/Fe molar ratio of 1 and calcined at 400 °C exhibited superior catalytic activity. The catalyst could be magnetically separated, recycled and reused for five runs without noticeable deactivation. Under the optimized conditions, various 2-oxazolidinones derivatives were successfully synthesized with good to excellent isolated yields.

Graphical abstractMagnetic binary MgFe oxides were prepared and used as solid base catalysts for 2-oxazolidinones synthesis from epoxides and carbamates. The catalyst could be magnetically separated, recycled and reused for five runs without noticeable deactivation. Under the optimized conditions, various 2-oxazolidinones derivatives were successfully synthesized with good to excellent yields.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Binary MgFe oxides were prepared by co-precipitation and used as a magnetic solid base catalyst. ► MgFe-400 exhibited superior catalytic activity in 2-oxazolidinone synthesis from epoxides and carbamates. ► Various 2-oxazolidinone derivatives were successfully synthesized from different alkyl carbamates and epoxides. ► The catalytic activity essentially correlated with amounts of the basic sites of the catalysts.