Magnetically retrievable lepidocrocite supported copper oxide nanocatalyst (Fe–CuO) for N-arylation of imidazole†
Abstract
A simple and efficient lepidocrocite-supported copper oxide catalyst (Fe–CuO) has been successfully prepared by a simple precipitation method in aqueous medium from readily available inexpensive starting materials and was used as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the N-arylation of imidazole with various aryl halides. The morphology, crystal structure, magnetic property, chemical state and surface area of the catalyst were studied. The N-arylation reaction was chosen to demonstrate the catalytic efficiency of the as-prepared Fe–CuO. Importantly, the catalyst can be easily recovered by magnetic attraction and its catalytic activity remains unaltered even after 6 consecutive cycles. Hence, Fe–CuO is an environmentally friendly, easily applicable and cost effective catalyst.