Synthesis and characterization of magnetic copper ferrite nanoparticles and their catalytic performance in one-pot odorless carbon-sulfur bond formation reactions

•CuFe2O4 NPs were synthesized and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, AAS and TEM analysis.•Using catalyst, odorless production of thioethers and trithiocarbonates were done.•Magnetically recoverable and recyclable nanocatalyst.•The reactions are performed in polyethylene glycol as an eco-friendly media.

In this article, we have introduced catalytic application of copper ferrite nanoparticles (CuFe2O4) for one-pot odorless production of aryl alkyl thioethers using thiourea and alkyl bromides in wet polyethylene glycol as a green solvent. The catalyst was also successfully applied for one-pot synthesis of symmetrical diaryl trithiocarbonates via the reaction of sodium sulfide, carbon disulfide and aryl iodides under heterogeneous reaction condition. Magnetic copper ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using iron (III) chloride and copper (II) chloride, and characterized using XRD, FT-IR, AAS, and TEM analysis. The catalyst was recycled using simple magnetic separation and reused for the five consecutive runs in the reaction of iodobenzene, thiourea and benzyl bromide without appreciable loss of activity.

Graphical abstractCuFe2O4 NPs were synthesized, characterized and successfully applied for one-pot preparation of l aryl alkyl thioethers and symmetrical diaryl trithiocarbonates.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (90 K)Download as PowerPoint slide