Synthesis and characterization of Co3O4 immobilized on dipeptide-functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of a new silica-coated magnetite nanocatalyst are described. This catalyst was prepared through a multistep procedure consisting of surface modification, functionalization with the product of an Ugi multicomponent reaction, and immobilization of Co₃O₄ on silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles. The prepared nanocatalyst was characterized using various techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies, thermal and elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction, and field-emission scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The catalyst showed high catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in acetonitrile as the solvent at mild temperatures and reusability for five repeated runs without loss of its activity.