Cr(iii)-containing Fe3O4/mercaptopropanoic acid–poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) nanocomposite: a highly active magnetic catalyst in solvent-free aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Abstract

In this study, polymer-grafted magnetic nanoparticles containing chromium(III) ions incorporated onto Fe₃O₄/mercaptopropanoic acid–poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (Fe₃O₄/MPA–PHEA-Cr) was prepared via a simple and in situ method. The obtained magnetic nanocomposite exhibited a high catalytic activity and excellent selectivity in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols under solvent-free conditions. The magnetic catalyst could also be separated by an external magnet and reused seven times without any significant loss of activity/selectivity.